Bailey James Martin

Bailey James Martin, aged 23, of Odessa, TX passed away on July 04, 2025 in the tragic floods of Kerrville, TX while camping with family.

A celebration of Bailey’s life with ceremonial honors will be held at 10:00 am on July 18, 2025 at First Baptist Church with Wally Schiwart, officiating. A private burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens courtesy of Sunset Memorial Funeral Home.

On March 04, 2002, Bailey, was born to Katrina and Robert Martin in Odessa, TX. Bailey was very much adored by his family for his old soul, loving heart, loyalty, wit, curiosity, honesty and determination. Bailey enjoyed learning about God, military history, 1960s Rock and Country music, Star Wars/Sci-Fi, building computers and camping. In high school, he was a proud member of the Permian High School JROTC, receiving numerous awards, participating in the color guard and rising in rank to Second Lieutenant. You could often find him with his best friends Matthew, Bryan, and Colby goofing around or training to be professional gamers. Bailey graduated from Permian High School in May 2020. He received his Associate’s Degree from Odessa College. It was at this time, Bailey realized he had a calling to help and protect others by becoming a Police Officer with the Odessa Police Department. Due to his young age, Bailey first began his journey as an intern with the OPD. As soon as he could, he attended the OPD academy, graduating in March 2023. Bailey took pride in what he did daily and joy in knowing that he was truly making a difference in the lives of those he served. He loved being a Police Officer for Odessa and cherished his colleagues. Even more, he had found the love of his life, Jayda, who encouraged him to be a better man and find joy in being true to himself.

Bailey is preceded in death by his father Robert “Bobby” Martin, bonus mother Amanda Martin, grandmother Cathy Herndon, and his future wife Jayda Floyd.

Bailey is survived by his mother Katrina Herndon Martin, siblings Christian and Paxton Herndon, Addison, Austin and Ethan Martin, cousin Mackenzie Vlosich, Aunt Michelle (Mark) Barrett, Uncles John Martin and Michael McCracken (and family), grandparents Thomas Herndon, Claudia and Keith Martin.

Pallbearers will be Matthew Muehlbrad, Colby Muehlbrad, Bryan Hale, Frank Olvera, Tyler Griffith and Kurt Williams.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made on behalf of Bailey Martin to the Crisis Center of West Texas. The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to our friends, OPD, Texas Rangers, Texas DPS, OFR/MFD, West Odessa Volunteer Fire, ECISD PD, Ector Co. Sheriff’s, UTPB PD, the kind and generous community of Odessa, MCH, First Baptist of Odessa, Sunset Funeral Home, surrounding law enforcement agencies, the community of Kerrville and the numerous rescuers and volunteers who sacrificed to help so many.