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bruce racing in Odessa

Bruce Carter & Martin in Odessa, Texas

Family & Friends

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 T

©2015 Theophilus

Motor

All photos by Martin Theophilus


1950's Alpine Twin Peaks drive-in theater


Motorcycles

picture of Chris & martin with Yamaha 360   

Chris and Martin with Yamaha 360 in 1986

Dirt Bikes -1971 • video

I began working for the State DHS in 1968, We moved to Midland/Odessa in 1970 for Carol's job at Midland High School. I transferred to DHS in Odessa and ended up in Child Protective Services in the Ector County County Courthouse. Carol was teaching in Midland and became friends with Jackie Carter another Midland HS Teacher. Jackie's husband Bruce was serving in Viet Nam. She shared what Carol told her about my CPS job and Bruce thought that was something he'd like to do when he left the army. I was promoted to a financial supervisor in 1971and Bruce ended up applying for and getting my old job. Shortly thereafter I was able to transfer back to the Ector County CPS unit as supervisor, so Bruce and I ended up working together for the next 5 years. Bruce was a motocross rider and even competed successfully in Georgia. Bruce convinced Me to begin riding, so I purchase a Yamaha 125. Bruce said he'd teach me to ride by "chasing me and run over me if he could catch me. Jackie and Carol also bought cycles. Odessa had a fairly nice track south of town and then west of Odessa there were endless oil field roads and pits that provided great riding locations. Another CPS person, Fran Wilson, also bought a cycle and joined us. Fran, Bruce and I also rode in Big Springs and in the Big Bend area around Study Butte, and Candelaria. I recall one morning when it was sleeting heavily and Bruce showed up at my home with his cycle loaded and said "let's go ride." We did, out in the oil fields. We also rode at the Monahans Sand Hills. Cheryl also bought a Yamaha and rode around Odessa and in the Big Bend.

                                        

picture of Chris & martin with Yamaha 360   

Chris and Martin with Yamaha 360 in 1986

Martin in Big Bend 

Martin with Yamaha TW200 2018

Martin competing in Odessa motor cross

 

bruce racing in Odessa

 Martin 360 with Bruce working on Honda Odessa

Martin with Yamaha 360dirt bike early '70's

Martin with Yamaha 360DT 1973

Martin in Big Bend

Martin with Yamaha 360DT in Big Bend

 

Bruce Fran & Martin in Big Bend area

cold Big Bend morning with Fran & Bruce

Martin in Big Bend 

Fran with her Yamaha in Big Bend

Fran & Bruce Candelaria - Big Bend

Cheryl & Martin heading to Candelaria '76

Cheryl Yamaha 100 Rio Grande

 

Cheryl Yamaha 100 with Brandy

Bruce on dirt bike early '70's

Bruce on Honda in West Texas oil fields

Bruce on dirt bike early '70's

Bruce on Honda in West Texas oil fields

Bruce on dirt bike early '70's

Bruce on Honda in West Texas oil fields

Martin on Yamaha 125

    Martin in Big Bend 

Martin on Yamaha 360 with George Jones Studt Butte & Big Bend

 

 

Martin competing in Odessa motor cross

 

bruce racing in Odessa

360 with Bruce working on Honda

Bruce racing in OdessaBruce racing in Odessa

Bruce taking the corner

 

Bruce winning 

 

Bruce receiving trophy   

Bruce racing and winning in Odessa

Bruce won

Martin with Yamaha 360dirt bike early '70's

Martin with Yamaha 360DT

Barbara & George Jones in NM •

Carol on her Honda West of Odessa

Bruce Fran & Martin in Big Bend area

cold Big Bend morning with Fran & Bruce

Fran & Martin - Big Bend

Fran & Bruce Candelaria - Big Bend

 

Fran & Bruce - Big Bend

Fran on road between Candelaria and Presidio after taking a fall and fracturing her collarbone.

Jackie & Bruce

Jackie & Bruce running

Jackie & Bruce    Jackie & Bruce

Bruce & Jackie in '70;s

Martin by Rio Grande

picture of Mazda Pickup & motorcycle trailer 

Big Bend with Mazda & trailer  - Yamaha DT360

 

 

Cheryl Yamaha 100

Cheryl Yamaha 100

Riding cycles in Big Bend with George Jones

Riding cycles in Big Bend with George Jones

 

Martin in Big bend

 

Anthony & Martin with 1974 Yamaha

Martin and Anthony with Martin's 1974 Yamaha DT360 (later restored & sold by Jeff)

Honda Ridgeline & Yamaha TW200Martin's Yamaha TW200 in Chris' Honda Ridgeline

Chris' Ridgeline brings Martin's Yamaha TW200 home

Martin's Yamaha TW200 in Chris' Honda Ridgeline

  Chris & Martin with Yamaha preparing ot go ride

Chris and Martin with Yamaha

After service at Austin CenTx Power Sports

     
  Martin's Dad (top right and left) also worked with a photographer who shot these great photos in 1938  

Oliver Theophilus (Martin's Dad working with photographer in late 1930's

1938 CADILLAC LASALLE COUPE

 Oliver Theophilus (Martin's Dad working with photographer in late 1930's    

 Oliver Theophilus (Martin's Dad working with photographer in late 1930's 

Oliver Theophilus (Martin's Dad working with photographer in late 1930's

Oliver Theophilus (Martin's Dad working with photographer in late 1930's 

Oliver Theophilus (Martin's Dad working with photographer in late 1930's

  Oliver Theophilus (Martin's Dad working with photographer in late 1930's

Oliver Theophilus (Martin's Dad working with photographer in late 1930's

Oliver Theophilus (Martin's Dad working with photographer in late 1930's

1938 CADILLAC LASALLE COUPE

Oliver Theophilus (Martin's Dad working with photographer in late 1930's 

Oliver Theophilus (Martin's Dad working with photographer in late 1930's

 Oliver Theophilus (Martin's Dad working with photographer in late 1930's

Oliver Theophilus (Martin's Dad working with photographer in late 1930's

1938 Cadillac Series 90 V-16 limousine?

     
Family Vehicles

 

Martin's Mom and Grandmother 1920

Martin's Grandmother and Mom in 1920

Martin's Mom in the car in 1920

Martin's Mom in car in 1920 with cousins on running board

 

Family with old car

Grandma Margaret Crerar, Martin, Sister Peggy, Dad, Oliver Theophilus, Grandpa George Crerar and Susie

1939 Chevrolet Master Series

Mom in family car - 1949 Plymouth Station Wagon

 

 

1942 Camp Perry, Ohio Mom & Pop Crerar

Margaret & George Crerar 1955 with 1948 Plymouth

 

1956 Chevrolet & Pepper in Alpine snow

 

Theophilus' 1952 Plymouth - this car was used to deliver newspapers and magazines. On one occasion Martin (Buddy) and Lee McCullum were going out the Old Marathon highway. Normally you could tell where the dip was by watching the train signal beside the dip. On this occasion it was out. We flew in mid air for a few moments,Lee bit the cigar he was smoking in half and we landed on the far side high ended on a rock. Luckily we could rock the car back & forth and got traction.

 

 

 

 

A few years later it was parked in from of Martin's bedroom on Highway 118 across from Central school and a driver coming in from Fort Davis went to sleep and hit the 1952 Plymouth head-on, totaling his new Buick. The Plymouth looked unscathed, or so I thought until I ran across this photo (:-)!

 

Our Dad was color blind and Peggy and Martin always joked about this car that was a "burnt chocolate and orange"" - 1955 Plymouth

Pop Crerar, Martin Peg, Peggy and Jerry Lee Lewis

 

 

Our family used a Volkswagen Kombi to distribute the Odessa American newspapers and magazines. It was the first vehicle Martin learned to drive prior to getting his driver's license in 1961. On Saturday nights we would drive from Alpine to Odessa, wait for the Sunday paper print run, then load up. We made bundled drops to Imperial, Fort Stockton, Balmorphea, Fort Davis, Alpine and Marathon.

Peg (Martin's Mom right) with family Volkswagon 1958 - Martin learned to drive in this car and a Volkswagon bus.

Peg (Martin's Mom right) with family Volkswagen 1958 - Martin learned to drive in this car and a Volkswagen bus.

VW ads   1   2   3   4   5

Unfortunately, Peggy Ann and John King had an accident between Alpine and Fort Stockton totalling the Beetle Bug. It and the family's Volkswagen Kombi were the first cars Martin learned to drive.

Peggy Anne driving parents new Ford Falcon (tag in back window), Joe Burgess riding shotgun and Martin in back seat

pictre of Air Explorers

Lee & Martin Air Explorer Squadron

 
picture of Lee & Buddy in Air Explorer Squadron

1962 Falcon

1962 visit of Aunt Ina & Uncle John

 

 

Theophilus' red 1964 Falcon rolled by Martin in 1965 

Theophilus' red 1961 Falcon rolled by Martin (with George Cooley) in 1962 - several months later Martin, with Sue Bradford, also rolled his Mom's 2 door cream Ford Falcon seen in center photo above.

 

 

picture JCM

Joe Burgess, Carol & Martin  Late '60's

 

 

MPhotoMotor1.htmlMPhotoMotor1.html

Air Explorer jeep Lee McCollum & Martin

Brewster County Rescue Squad - Bud Powers, Rick Sohl, Martin (Buddy) Theophilus, Carl Williams & Ray Baker

Bud Powers, Ricky Sohl , Martin, Carl Williams and Ray Baker

Alpine fire truck - Bill Stovell and Martin saw a train trestle on fire while they were watching a movie at the Lobo drive in. They had the concession stand call it in and then made multiple trips on the truck helping to get water. At one point the Fire Chief asked if we'd set the fire. Disappointing after our work, but guess he had to ask. Also we often were released from high school to go fight grass fires on area ranches.

 

Martin's family purchased used DPS cars for use in their extensive driving.  Here's a video of the DPS Motor Pool in 1967.  Originally the cars were bought using sealed bids and then DPS began using auctions.

Martin's personal DPS car Carl Williams Brewster County Sheriff with DPS patrolman Jean Pate.

The family began purchasing surplus Texas DPS cars. Jean Pate (right above) who replaced Carl Williams (left above)as Alpine's DPS officer gave us a contact with Mr. Canady at the TxDPS motor pool to help determine which cars were in the best shape. Jean was always interested to see what we purchased and carefully went over each one to see what shape it was in, even straightening the battery caps so they read correctly.

Theophilus used Texas DPS cars 

The used DPS cars often came with speedometer info, sometimes a brake light cut-off switch and surprises of things that had been dumped behind the back seat. Later they began selling cars with lower milage, repainted and sold for better prices.

 

Martin's personal DPS car

 

Martin's personal DPS car

Opps! Ran out of gas on the way back to Alpine from Austin

Martin's parents DPS Plymouth Fury III

Martin's personal DPS car   

Martin's personal DPS car while working as Sul Ross Officer. 

 

Martin's personal DPS car while working as Sul Ross Officer

After graduating with his Bachelor's degree from Sul Ross, Martin worked as a State of Texas Sul Ross Police Officer.  Go to more about the Sul Ross security force - page 1  page 2

 

 

   

 

Sul Ross Security Chief's police car

Sul Ross University Security Chief Bubba Kring

 

Martin's Sul Ross Police carSul Ross Security Chief's police car

 

The police cars   (1962 Plymouth & 1966 Plymouth Fury)Martin drove at Sul Ross - interior dash of 1966

Night scenes video

 

 

   

Here's how they looked when with the Texas DPS  (Left 1963 Plymouth Fury Right 1966 Plymouth Fury)

 

Carol & Martin's Used DPS Lt.'s car later used by Martin's Mom & Dad

Alpine Texas Department of Public Safety Patrol car in 1967

Driven by Jean Pate & Jack O'Donnell

 

 

cars at parents house 

Top - Martin's parents 1967 Texas DPS Lt's car from Lubbock

Above - 1967 Texas DPS Plymouth Fury configuration

This is another DPS car that Martin and Carol customized with a faux vinyl top and then later resold.

 

Motorola control head in martin's Plymouth

Motorola radio head in Martin's personal car

Martin's person DPS car  with police radios

Martin's personal ex-DPS car with police radios

 

1966 Ford Mustang Carol and Martin bought new jointly from Brewster County Motors, Alpine, Texas

                         

 

Carol and Martin's 1966 Ford Mustang

1966 Mustang Alpine - view video  • go to 1966 Mustang brochure

Before they were married, Carol and Martin jointly custom ordered and bought a new 1966 Ford Mustang. 

 

 

 

 

1966 Mustang in Odessa 1980

1966 Mustang in Odessa 1970 - view video

 

 

 

Carol and Martin's 1966 Ford Mustang

1966 Mustang Alpine

Carol and Martin's 1966 Ford Mustang dash

1966 Mustang Dash Alpine

1965 Ford Mustang ads  1  2  3  4

 

1966 Mustang between Alpine & Ft Stockton

 

 

Carol & Martin's pickup 1969  Carl's old house

 

 

 

Martin's personal 1968 DPS car 

 

same model configured for Texas DPS

Alpine Texas Department of Public Safety Patrol car in 1969 - Driven by Jean Pate & Jack O'Donnel - Note early Texas DPS radar unit

Texas Department of Public Safety cars in lot for auction in 1970.  We bought the 2 shown in the photo.  Martin kept one and his Mom kept one.

Texas Department of Public Safety cars in lot for auction in 1970. We bought the 2 shown in the photo. Martin kept one and his Mom kept one.

 

Peg & Ollie's used DPS on on the River Road

 

Martin's DPS car in Study Butte

Martin's 1973 Dodge Charger

 

1973 Dodge Charger similar to martin's in 1973

1973 Dodge Charger SE

 

 

Martin's Dodge Charger in Andrews, Tx

Martin's 1973 Dodge Charger by the lake in Andrews, Texas

 

 

Jackie & Bruce

Jackie & Bruce out for a run & Charger's mirror

Mazda pickup

Mazda Pickup 74

Cheryl's 1973 Ford Pinto station wagon

 

1974 Mazda pickup with Pioneer Super Tuner and Regency scanner & 2way radio

1974 Mazda pickup with Pioneer Super Tuner a regency 8 channel scanner and a Regency 4 channel 2 way public safety radio used in DHS Child Protective Services in conjunction with the Ector County Sheriff's Dept.

Mid 70's Crysler LeBaron

Le Baron Odessa 1976

 

MPhMotorChevySilverado

10/01/77 Chevy Silverado

 

Phantom on location van in El Paso 1978

Martin's Highland Sound/Phantom productions on location van customized in El Paso, Texas 1978 (bought new '77 Dodge van that had not been sold in Big Springs, TX 09/05/78).

 

Martin's Highland Sound/Phantom productions on location van customized in El Paso, Texas 1978

 

Phantom van outside Coutry music venue in El Paso

Phantom productions on location van outside Country Music venue in El Paso

 

Phantom vehicles 1980a in Austin

Phantom vehicles Honda Civic & Dodge van1980 in Austin

 

Pontiac 6000 82-86 

Pontiac 6000 - 1982 - 1986 • dealer list

Pontiac 6000 82-86

Chris' Prelude

Chris' Honda Prelude

Chris' Honda Prelude

 

1086 Nissan Maxima

Maxima South of Alpine 1989

 

Maxima

Chris and Martin's Maxima

 

Maxima & Pathfinder

Chris' Pathfinder and Martin's Maxima

Chris' Pathfinder on South Padre Beach

Chris' Pathfinder on South Padre Beach

AusPathCapitol.jpgChris' Pathfinder at the Texas State Capitol

Looking over the Texas Capitol

Chris' Pathfinder at the Texas State Capitol

On location videotaping Olin Murrell

 

Chris' Pathfinder at the Texas State Capitol

On location videotaping Olin Murrell

Pathfinder and Accord

 

Chris' Pathfinder

 

Chris' Pathfinder Sheila & Martin

 

Chris' Pathfinder & Dancer's trailer

 

Dancer's trailer

 

Chris' Tractor

 

picture of Bach with martin's Honda Accord

Bach with Martin's Honda Accord

 

Martin's 1998 Honda Accord

 

1998 Honda Accord

 

1998 Honda Accord

Chris new tractor

Chris with new tractor

Chris new tractor...old one in background

Martin with Troubador in back of Nissan Murano

Martin & troubador with Nissan Murano

 

Chris & Martin's Murano ion Fort Davis to Balmorphea highway

Phantom's 2008 Nissan Murano - January 15, 2008

 

Phantom's Murano License Plate

Phantom's Murano License Plate

Phantom's 2007 Nissan Murano

Phantom's 2007 Nissan Murano SL  - Fairmont Hotel - Dallas

Chris' Pathfinder beside new stable

Pathfinder beside new stable

Chris' 1998 Nissan Pathfinder

Sold Pathfinder 2nd time (this time to San Antonio Police officer) More detail on first sale

 

Chris & Martin's Murano ion Fort Davis to Balmorphea highway

Chris & Martin's Murano on Fort Davis to Balmorphea highway

 

 

Chris' new Honda Ridgeline

 

Chris unloading feed from her Honda Ridgeline

Chris unloading horse feed

Chris' Honda Ridgeline and trailer

Honda Ridgeline & Trailer with Dancer

Chris' Ridgeline brings Martin's Yamaha TW200 home

Yamaha tuned at CenTex Power Sports

2007 Murano prior to sale 11/2013

2007 Murano prior to sale 11/2013

2007 Murano prior to sale 11/2013

2007 Murano prior to sale 11/2013

2007 Murano prior to sale 11/2013

C&M 2013 Murano 11/2013

C&M 2013 Murano 11/2013

 

C&M 2013 Murano 11/2013

1311292013MuranoBrack2.jpg

C&M 2013 Murano 11/2013

Chris' 2007 Honda Ridgeline was run into by 18 year old unlicensed driver speeding, maybe texting, crossed 3 lanes to hit her, no skid marks. 11/04/2014 • Luckily no one was hurt and a Fayetteville EMS crew happened onto the scene almost immediately. Ridgeline was totalled. • video

Chris replaced her 2007 Honda Ridgeline with a 2013 Honda Ridgeline that had only 13,00 miles

  

Chris with new running boards and brush guard

 

2013 Murano radio & lights setup

 

Martin driving Crown Vic for Bastrop Sheriff's Office

 
 
2020 Kia Telluride
 
     

 

Assisting at Travis County accident scene

Assisting at Travis County accident scene

 

Packard classic cars on display in Salado on March 27, 2010 - sills and video by Phantom Production, Inc. ©2010  Packard classic cars on display in Salado on March 27, 2010 - sills and video by Phantom Production, Inc. ©2010

Packard classic cars on display in Salado on March 27, 2010 - sills and video by Phantom Production, Inc. ©2010  Packard classic cars on display in Salado on March 27, 2010 - sills and video by Phantom Production, Inc. ©2010

We ran across this Packard classic car meet in Salado.  Here's some pics and a link to our HD You Tube clip.

Packard classic cars on display in Salado on March 27, 2010 - sills and video by Phantom Production, Inc. ©2010 Packard classic cars on display in Salado on March 27, 2010 - sills and video by Phantom Production, Inc. ©2010

Packard classic cars on display in Salado on March 27, 2010 - sills and video by Phantom Production, Inc. ©2010 Packard classic cars on display in Salado on March 27, 2010 - sills and video by Phantom Production, Inc. ©2010

Packard classic cars on display in Salado on March 27, 2010 - sills and video by Phantom Production, Inc. ©2010 Packard classic cars on display in Salado on March 27, 2010 - sills and video by Phantom Production, Inc. ©2010

Packard classic cars on display in Salado on March 27, 2010 - sills and video by Phantom Production, Inc. ©2010Packard classic cars on display in Salado on March 27, 2010 - sills and video by Phantom Production, Inc. ©2010

Packard classic cars on display in Salado on March 27, 2010 - sills and video by Phantom Production, Inc. ©2010

Martin driving Ford Explorer for Bastrop Sheriff's Office

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