These pages were initially created to transfer photos from traditional scrapbooks to the internet in order to both preserve and make the pictures and history available to family and friends. It has become more extensive than I intended. However, I see it as a way to save the details before they slip away.
Martin's ECCS staff meeting with Jane, Billie, Bruce and Fran in the Ector County Courthouse.
Some of Ector County Children's Services staff at offices in the Ector County Courthouse. Keith Bailey, Jane Conner, Jackie, Linda Hannah, Sylvia Ramirez and Fran Wilson
Martin Theophilus, ECCS Supervisor
Sylvia Jane and Jackie
Linda, Jackie & Sylvia
Ector County Children's Services moves to County Health Building:
1974 begins with ECCS in the County's old Health Department building In the fall of 1973, Ector County was running out of office space in the courthouse. Also, the State was doubling the Child Protective Services staff statewide. Ector County Children’s Services was moved to the old Ector County Health building across from the Odessa Police Department.
One of the caseworkers in my unit, Jane Conner (rt), became the supervisor of a second unit. So I now managed abuse/neglect intake services and two Juvenile caseworkers, one of which was Bruce. Jane managed foster care, placement services and court reports. Incidentally we’d always provided reports to the court in child custody and divorce cases. We did home studies and then recommended which home should care for the child/children involved.
The old Ector County Health building was definitely a throw back in time. It had 6 rest rooms, originally two black, two white and two for staff. All those signs had been removed. Jane’s office still had a doctor title on the door and she left it. The kitchen door, which could be seen from the reception area, said “Sterilization Room.” We left it too, although probably a bit disconcerting to some of our clients.
One of the rest rooms was accessed from inside my office and wasn’t used. However, one day the County Auditor was meeting with me in my office right after lunch. About 15 minutes into the meeting, the toilet flushed and one of our staff, Chad Spears came out very embarrassed. He couldn’t decide whether to exit immediately, or wait, but when our meeting kept going, he exited.
Martin Theophilus, Supervisor Ector County Children's Services
Tom Karvonen, Ollie Theophilus, George Karvonen, Peggy Karvonen, Karen Karvonen, Karl Karvonen and Peg Theophilus
1974 recording equipment HSC Brentwood Odessa
On January18, 1974, Fran, who was still working for Children’s Services, told Martin her Dad was going to Alpine to bid on some foreclosed property, did he want to go? They ended up going in Martin's Dodge Charger, which was low on gas. There was no gas available this late evening in Odessa. This was during the great gas shortage. Luckily found gas in Penwell (would have been the last chance, or they'd had to turn back). They drove to Alpine and stayed over night at the Bien Venido.
Fran’s Dad checked out the auction then became interested in Martin's Mom’s knowledge of the geology in the area. They all ended up driving down toward the Big Bend, with my Mom describing all the rock formations along the way. It was a fun trip.
Ector County Children's Services had a case involving Mexican National families and Fran and Martin travelled to El Paso to meet with the Mexican Consultant and had some fun along the way.
On 01/23/74 Fran & Martin meet with the Mexican Consulate in El Paso regarding the Garcia children family. The kids had been abused by a Grandmother in Mexico and the family came to the US. The family came to the attention of Ector County Children's Services due to neglect. The Mexican Government wanted the children returned to Mexico and we fought the request in court to prevent their going back into an abusive situation in Mexico.
Martin dated Jan Pool an Odessa High School teacher 01/31/74 to 04/24/74. They met when she asked Martin to present information about Ector County Children's Services to their school.
02/09/74 Shilos birthday
Fran helped Martin adopt Shilo, a Siberian Husky who was born on February 9, 1974
Shilo's AKC Registration
In the Big Bend with Jackie & Bruce • looking into Mexico
Bruce and Jackie
03/26/74 Doobie Brothers
Seals & Croft - Dallas, Texas April 16, 1974
In 1974 Fran, Bruce and Martin rode in Bruce's Courier pickup through Pinto Canyon and rode cycles from the canyon to Candelaria and Ruidosa on the Rio Grande.
Fran preparing to ride in the Candelaria area
Fran & Bruce Big Bend
Fran & Martin Big Bend
The right photo was taken after Fran had a fall on her cycle. She road back 45 minutes to Bruce's truck and we later learned that she'd broken her collar bone.
Fran, Bruce & Martin near Candelaria, Texas by the Rio Grande.
Fran, Bruce and Martin also rode cycles in the hills in Big Springs. Unfortunately Fran took and another fall landing on a large cactus. Bruce removed the cactus spines from her bottom.
Fran leaving for Hawaii for her doctorate
Fran worked for Ector county Children's Services from October 1, 1972 until July 15, 1974. Martin's recommendation letter for Fran. Fran and Martin have remained lifelong friends. She was one of three authors who published a study on Imaginary companions while at UT.
Fran photo from Hawaii
05/08/74 Becky Knight was a nurse at the Odessa Hospital who helped Martin organize the Odessa Parents Anonymous charter in the Permian Basin.
05/09/74 Martin presented Parents Anonymous information to the Odessa Junior Service League with nurse Becky Knight. They also presented a workshop that included the PA expert "Jolly K"on June 11, 1974
Additional PA meetings were presented by Martin with Becky: 05/16/09 Beta Sigma - Caroyyn Bennevidez home (later Homero Rodriguez's wife SA RA); KMID TV; ECCSO Luncheon.
05/13/74 Martin met with John Fenner regarding ECCS kids counseling and evaluations(Chris & Martin later saw John while taping interview for Shelly Dumas TCDS) where he was working as a group home manager.
Hot Air Balloon from Martin's back yard in Odessa 1974
07/13/74 Cheryl & Martin in Big Bend
Shilo and Twister at Martin's home on Brentwood in Odessa
Martin and Cheryl began dating
(Beginning on 09/19/73 Martin dated Cheryl off and on and also she enrolled at Tx Tech. Richard also started attending Texas Tech. Carol & I suggested that Cheryl and Richard car pool, but after a couple of trips they decided not to.)
Shilo & Twister
06/13/74 Cheryl said she didn't want to see Becky's car at my house and asked I get rid of my 2 Siberian Husky's Shilo & Twister.
Martin's '74 Dodge Charger
Martin's ECCS supervisor's office in the Ector County Courthouse in 1974.
06/22/74 Carol & Martin travelled together to 1974 10th AHS reunion
Martin's recommendation letter for Fran July 19, 1974
07/26/74 Martin attended a Child Abuse workshop in Dallas and stayed with Juanita Carlton, with whom he'd worked with when he first joined ECCS. Juanita and Ann Kimbrell were the two Ector County Child Welfare workers when the State of Texas took over all the county CPS offices. There was some resentment in the process and Martin's joining the group mended the relationship. Martin and Juanita and her husband at the time became friends. Her husband was a bank manager in Odessa and facilitated an auto loan and house financing for Martin. While staying with Juanita, she allowed Martin to sit in on one of her group therapy sessions.
09/14/74 Cheryl and Martin discussed marriage & became engaged
09/17/74 Message from Sylvia to Martin from ECCS Board Chair Jay Poyner
Martin attended a Child Welfare conference in Denver (where he also got to attend a Joan Baez concert).
092974 Martin to Denver - Battered Child Conference. While driving around Denver looking for Coliseum, Martin saw Joan Baez and Caesar Chavez chained to front door of auditorium. Attended Joan Baez concert
Martin attended the Joan Baez' concert in Denveron 09/29/74
10/02/74 Martin picked up 3 hitchhikers at Independence pass. They travelled together for a few days, going through NM looking for one of the girl's Dads. Martin ended up back in Lubbock where Cheryl was going to school.
10/08/74 Martin presented at Andrews County Child Welfare committee for Ann Kimbal and Martha Mansell.
Martha after filing CPS papers at the Andrews County Courthouse
10/12/74 George, Aunt Ina, Martin, Dad (Ollie) Mom (Peg) Karen, Aunt Isabel, Peggy & Karl
Mom,Dad, Ken, Karl, Peggy, George, Grandma Crerar
10/12/74 Alpine Dad, Mom, Martin
10/16/74 Martin drove to San Angelo for regional DHS meeting. Martin had supper with Sylvia & Pat - Sylvia said she's getting divorce.
Ector County Community Services newsletter 11/01/74
Odessa & Ector County Resources used by Ector County Children's Services P 1 • P2 • P3 • P4
11/08/74 Parents with Carters in motor home to Texas Tech homecoming - Martin had worst migraine ever.
Went to visit Lubbock Prairie Dog Town - Mom & Cheryl
11/08/74 Martin and Cheryl at the Lubbock Prairie Dog Town
11/28/74 - 11/30/74 Cheryl & Martin spent Thanksgiving in El Paso
Martin spent time with Martha Mansell - 12/06/74 to 12/13/74
On 12/14/74 Martin drove to Lubbock and broke his engagement with Cheryl. Events after the Denver, hitchhiker experience, the Lubbock trip with parents, Thanksgiving and time with Martha, made Martin decide he wasn't ready to marry again. This was the pits for Cheryl as she was in Tx Tech final exams.
12/21/74 Martha headed to her parent's home in the Woodlands north of Houston. When she arrived her parents said she could invite Martin to join them. So at the last minute, Martin spent Christmas holidays with Martha’s family at their home in the Woodlands.
Martha's Mom and Martin 1974 Christmas holidays
1975
In 1975 Chris was living in England with Anthony and Ken while Al was stationed in Viet Nam
Andrews Lake across from Martha's home
01/01/75 Martin helped Martha move to a house across from Andrews Lake.
Dad, Mom, Martin January 5, 1975 Martin spent a '74 follow-up Christmas with his family in Alpine.
Some of the Ector County Children's Services staff around 1975
Jackie & Bruce 1975
01/18/ 75 Billie O'Dowdy who worked with Martin at the Ector County Children's Services told Martin about some Irish Setter puppies near her in Crane, Texas. Martha and Martin both bought one. Martin's was named Brandy (the song and her color). Martha named Brandy's brother Sunshine.
Brandy & Martin • Martin & Martha - 1975
Martin with Brandy and Sunshine (Martha's Setter)
Martha with Bandy and her brother Sunshine
Brandy and Sunshine & Sunshine with Foster Parent sticker
03/12/75 Parents were to meet Martha, but she didn't show up. On 03/28/75 Martin's Alpine trip with Martha was cancelled.
040875 Martin went to spend birthday with Martha. Waited at her house for a couple of hours, but left and ended up at Sylvia's to talk about M&M relationship.
When Martin took over the Supervisor's position at the Ector County Children's Services, Sylvia became his Administrative Assistant. She was also a life long friend. Sylvia and Michele's home Odessa pictured above.
04/19/75 Martin and Martha attended a Kansas City Child Abuse workshop at the Menninger foundation(above).
They also visited the nearby Mormon museum.
042675 Cheryl came by M's house while on break from Texas Tech
Martin's grandmother Margaret Singer Crerar passed away May 7, 1975
Martin Grandparents (Crerar) home and garage
Margaret Crerar 1941 & 1972
Margaret Crerar 1949
05/10/75 Martha's nephew Jude's (6yr old) birthday party at her brother's home.
051775 Martin called to see if Cheryl back from Tech and dated next 3 nights.
In the 1970's Peg & Ollie hired a Sul Ross student (John Hong sp) from Taiwan who was on a student visa. They assisted in his becoming a US citizen and enabled his family to come to the States,. He later went into the restaurant business in San Angelo. In 1975 The Theophilus's and John family took a trip to the Grand Canyon.
Martin & Cheryl re-engaged July 1975
07/16/75 Counselor Leon Balcomb - as preparing to enter Cheryl said she did not want to tell counselor she was pregnant, so we didn't. Martin took 8 hrs sick leave next day.
07/25/75 Cheryl's sister Cindy's wedding to Mike in Fort Worth. Martin wasn’t invited to attend
08/13/75 At marriage counseling with Rev Mike Miller - Cheryl said she had not been pregnant.
08/20/75 Rev Miller counseling session with Cheryl and Martin
08/22/75 Cheryl's wedding shower
Cheryl and Martin married August 30, 1975
11/13/75 The Texas DHS HQ moved Ector County Children's Services to their new Andrews Highway, Odessa, Texas consolidated state office building.
Sylvia, Pat, Bruce, Carol & Martin at Ector County Children's Services on Andrews highway
ECCS in Andrews highway Odessa Texas DHS State offices
Christmas 1975 Odessa with Cheryl, her friends & the Carters
These pages were initially created to transfer photos from traditional scrapbooks to the internet in order to both preserve and make the pictures and history available to family and friends. It has become more extensive than I intended. However, I see it as a way to save the details before they slip away.
03/09/86 washed/waxed Honda & Pontiac & went to Zilker Park Kite contest with Ceda and Orion
Chris with Ceda and Orion in Zilker Park
View of Austin from the Town Lake trails
March 1, 1986 Martin and Chris made many trips from Austin to Alpine to visit Dad in 1986 after Mom passed away.
March 8, 1986
Dad sold his 40 year old Shopper's Guide Press business to Art and Linda Merrihew. When Dad passed away, Chris and Martin took over ownership of the building leasing it to Art and Linda. The Merrihews eventually moved Shopper's Guide Press to downtown Alpine and several years later retired. The building went through several occupants and today is owned by the Alpine Humane Society, Thrift Store and Cattery.
05/10/86 Chris and Martin drove Alpine ate with his Friday night friends and next day went up to Indian Lodge with Dad. Fun time!
Dad, Karl, Chris and Martin
Dad streaking (:-)Dad was in his underwear when a fire truck went. He went to the front door and leaned out to see where the truck was going. The door shut and locked behind him, so he was in the front yard in his underwear. He had to break into the back door to get in.
Dad "Ollie" & brother Bud
The founding of the Austin Community College Commercial Music Management degree program • view video
In mid 1986 I received the 1986 MIX magazine Education Directory for the Central US including Texas. It surprised me that there were no music business tech schools in Austin listed in the directory. My wife Chris and I began talking with folks we worked with in the Austin music community. We confirmed there were no schools offering the business of music in the Austin, Texas area. Those courses would include legal aspects of the music industry, publishing, staging, production, marketing and other essential resources, plus the basics of recording technology. We began exploring the possibility that some Austin area college or university might be interested in the creation of such a program.
I met with both the music and business departments at the University of Texas, St Edwards University, Concordia University and San Marcos' Texas State University. Folks said the idea was interesting, however their schedules were full and they passed.
I then sent a letter to ACC President Dan Angel describing our interest in creating the program. Dr. Angel connected me with ACC staff.
At that time I was serving on the Austin Community College's Business Management Advisory Committee as Chairman of the Texas Agency Human Resource Development Network. The ACC Business Advisory Committee is composed of Texas Agency representatives and Austin's larger private employers (TI, IBM, UT) to help identify educational needs and recommend programs to be provided by ACC. So I mentioned the music business program proposal at the next meeting of the ACC Business Advisory Committee. I asked if they thought the program would be a viable option for ACC. It was unanimously recommended and they asked for me to follow-up with more specifics.
To better support this proposal I began to contact and gather information from the existing Texas schools who had active commercial music programs. I wanted to know how they created their programs, their level of success and any information they were willing to share. I travelled to Houston, Waco, Dallas, Levelland and El Paso. All the programs seemed to be doing well and were often placing students into jobs before they graduated.
On July 28, 1986 I sent a proposed outline based on my visits to those Texas schools. I prepared a formal overview and presented it to the ACC Business Management Advisory Committee on October 29, 1986, The group believed the program would best be served by locating it in the Business department of ACC. This approval resulted in the following questionnaire. The program eventually ended up in the Music area headed by David Jones.
06/22/86 San Antonio to see Gloria - swimming at Susan & Tom’s
1986 Chris and Martin UK trip
08/23/86 Breakfast Grandy’s - pick up Anthony 10am - Off to the UK - Austin > Houston> delayed NY arrived Mum’s at noon the 24th
Chris & Peter
Peter and Chris 1986
Harvesting on the Miller farm
Martin, Mum, Chris
08/23/86 Breakfast Grandy’s - pick up Anthony 10am - Off to the UK Austin > Houston> delayed NY arrived Mum’s at noon the 24th
08/24/86 CM arrived Mum’s at noon the 24th - Supper at Lynn & Peter’s
Martin, Chris Sheila & Joe in Sheila's garden
09/03/86 Cambridge with Sheila and Mum - Sedgwick Museum to see Mom’s fossils and signed book - called Dad re Mom & museum
08/31/86 Chris’ Uncle’s 75th birthday - Mum, Ina, Pathia and at Cambridge reunion
Anne, Sheila, Ivan Chris, Martin & Anne daughter
09/04/86 Waited for TV repair - saw Anne and Ivan - “tanning”
Log
08/25/86 Rose & Crown - Went around farm and saw dryer
08/266/86 CM Mum & Sheila - called Dad
08/27/86 CM Mum & Sheila, farm Ann fro Australia
08/28/86 CM drove to London - parked Epping took tube to Victoria - Checked into Lime Tree Ho el (3rd floor) -
Mares Queen’s Horse stables - walked Piccadilly - Harrods Nipper
08/29/86 Imperial War Museum - Garfunkel’s - shopped - Chris portrait drawn - Criterion Theater - “Run for your life”
08/30/86 Drove back to Acton -
09/02/86 Duxford Air Field and Museum - started to go to Banbury, however was too late - Westerfield
Bob Hays fell down daughter’s basement stairs neck brace -
09/04/86 Waited for TV repair - saw Anne and Ivan - “tanning”
09/05/86 Went to see Suffolk castle - Supper CM Mum, Sheila, Peter & Lynn
09/06/86 Drove from Acton to Gatwick - hard on Chris to leave - St. Louis - Anthony picked us up and took us by his new place
Chris'
roots were in England. Also, Peter felt the response to the new musicians
we were working with was much more helpful from the European record companies
and publishers. So we kept pitching new material that direction. On our
1986 trip back to Chris' home, we decided to try to pitch some of the artists
we were working with. We came up with an idea to take US NTSC music videos
we produced and see if we could show the material in the UK (where PAL is
the standard video format) It greatly exceeded our expectations and we were
able to actually meet with the International Rep at Island Records (it was
pretty neat to sit in the waiting room and see all the mailed demos from
artists all over the world). Our pitch was that we couldn't leave the NTSC
videos for the record company to look at later, so they would need to look
at them now...AND THEY DID! - view video of Island, creole and Burne Music (Curiosity Killed the Cat) London, England
One
publisher (Chelsea Music (publishers of "Curiosity Killed the Cat."),
asked
what Phantom got out of a deal if we found interest in the UK. Chris and
Martin said "nothing" as the musicians were friends. The publisher
said that Phantom's representation was so good, we should negotiate a management
contract. He also recommended that we begin attending Midem, the International Music conference in Cannes, France. Thus began Phantom's management (investor) stint. Chris would
later move Phantom from providing resources to new artists to serious booking
contracts that brought income to the artist and Phantom. Some of the artists we originally managed toured Russia with the TIES project. view video clip
Chris and Martin with Yamaha 360 in 1986
John, Claudia, Paul, Karen, Joe, Margaret & Peggy
10/04/86 Chris, Martin and Anthony went to Alpine to be with Martin's Dad during Sul Ross' 1986 Homecoming
Brewster County Sheriff George Jones
Dad, Chris and Anthony going into Alpine's Bien Venido
Chris & Martin at McDonald Observatory
Ken, Chris & Martin in Fort Davis and Alpine with Dad1986
Ken, Chris & Martin at old Marfa Army Air Base having just finished walking the old runways at Midnight. The actual Marfa Lights are in the background of the picture. Picture was taken directly South from the old Main Gate.
Dad (right) and Rotary friends managing pancake supper at elementary school in Alpine. Rev Newbill on left
Dad and Martin June 26, 1986 made a trip taking potential postcard pictures in Alpine area. It was the last trip they made together before Chris and Martin took Dad to El Paso for heart surgery just before Thanksgiving 1986. Dad passed away January 1, 1987.
Dad showing plaque for Mom's contributions to geology in the Big Bend
Antelope Lodge
Dad at Indian Lodge
Indian Lodge
Indian Lodge dining room
Dad waiting in Maxima while Martin shot photos
Dad at Presbyterian Sunday School "Roundup"
07/10/1986 Texas legislature hearing on continuing Sul Ross State College/University
Dad (second from right) at grand opening of Shoppers Guide Press after it was bought by the Merrihews in 1986
09/28/86 Chris and Martin assisted Ron Rogers recording Black church choir in Austin.
Nadine movie shoot Austin 10/11/86
Chris and Martin attended Chris' co-worker Denise's wedding in Elgin
11/22/86 Parents Anniversary - CM 7am flight to Phoenix
11/22/86 Chris and Martin 7am flight to Phoenix to visit Mary Maraldy and Chris' old staff and office (Martin's Dad back in Alpine hospital)
Chris and Mary with Mary's Snoopy collection
Chris and Mary's co-workers
Chris worked for Mary at the Phoenix Periodontal offices • BarBQ Res
11/23/86 CM Phoenix to Austin
CM Called Dad, heart varying from 85 to 135 - Peggy and John to Alpine
11/27/86 Martin had Thanksgiving dinner with Dad in Alpine hospital - Chris had Thanksgiving with Anthony & Ken at home in Austin.
Martin & Chris in El Paso while Dad in hospital 1986
12/01/86 Martin & Chris took Ollie to El Paso to have surgery to repair a hole in his heart that was causing serious health problems. The surgery after Thanksgiving was successful, however Ollie experienced a stroke the next day at which time he lost his ability to speak. In a horrendous situation a "cooling bed" that was being used to stabilize his temperature, malfunctioned. Ollie received 3rd degree burns and was unable to let the nursing staff know. Martin stayed with Ollie all the time, Chris came and stayed as often as she could and Peggy & John and other family members and friends from Alpine visited. Ollie passed away the morning of New Years Day, January 1, 1987. He would have turned 70 in April. more photos
Martin and Chris back in Austin for Christmas 1986 while Peggy Anne and John were with Ollie in the hospital in El Paso.
Chris and Martin in El Paso
Chris and Martin at the Cliff in beside Sierra Medical
On Christmas Day, the Cliff Inn gave Chris and Martin Sun Bowl tickets which was a brief respite from the hospital.
In the fall of 1973, Ector County was running out of office space in the courthouse. Also, the State was doubling the Child Protective Services staff statewide. Ector County Children’s Services was moved to the old Ector County Health building across from the Odessa Police Department. 
One of the caseworkers in my unit, Jane Conner (rt), became the supervisor of a second unit. So I now managed abuse/neglect intake services and two Juvenile caseworkers, one of which was Bruce. Jane managed foster care, placement services and court reports. Incidentally we’d always provided reports to the court in child custody and divorce cases. We did home studies and then recommended which home should care for the child/children involved.
