Marty Kuhlman was born in Canyon, Texas on May 13, 1961 into a family of his father, Alvin, his mother, Liselotte, and two sisters, Monika and Bernice. Marty spent his childhood in Canyon involved in Little League, Cub Scouts, and swimming at the city pool. He began his education at Rex Reeves Elementary School during the late 1960s. In the summer of 1971 a car hit the bicycle he was riding, and he spent three months in Northwest Texas Hospital. After leaving the hospital he started rehabilitation consisting of physical and occupational therapy lasting for a number of years. Marty reentered public school in 1973 as he began sixth grade in a wheelchair to crutches. But Marty also continued to have fun and discovered a love for history, which his father introduced him to.
In 1977 he entered Canyon High School. From classes to extracurricular activities Canyon High School prepared Marty for life. Although he faced many challenges such as mobility and dexterity, students and teachers played a large role in replacing these challenges with opportunities. He fondly recalls many teachers such as the History and Economic teacher Jane Stephens for enabling him to have equal educational opportunities. The education he received at Canyon High School colored his world in a positive manner, but the years there meant much more. Marty gained many of the qualities needed to become a well-rounded person. Football games, dances, and student organizations helped him grow. Due to the acceptance and assistance of his fellow students Marty cultivated many life-long friendships.
After graduation from Canyon High School in 1979 Marty attended West Texas State University. He received two bachelor"s degrees and a master"s degree in History. He received a doctorate from Texas Tech University after writing his dissertation on the civil rights movement in Texas. In 1994 he became a professor of History at West Texas A&M University where he teaches classes in Civil Rights, the Old South, Civil War and Reconstruction, and the United States Since 1945. He has had a number of journal articles published and is currently writing the centennial history of West Texas A&M University. Many forces, such as friends and family, have played an important role in Marty"s life. Yet Canyon High School will always hold a place of prominence for him. When thinking about Canyon High School, Marty likes to quoted the Beatles" lyric, "There are places I"ll remember."
