Roll Call Tribute

Ford G. Martin, LTC USA (Ret) 

December 6, 1935 - July 7, 2024 

Lieutenant Colonel Ford G. Martin, US Army (retired) was born on December 6, 1935, and passed away on July 7, 2024, in Seguin, TX at the age of 88.

Ford grew up in Pearsall, TX helping his father with ranching in Catarina, Artesia Wells, and Encinal. While helping his father with ranching, he had a favorite horse named Shorty. During his high school years, he played football for the Pearsall Mavericks and worked on the yearbook as the Sport’s Manager and during the summer months he worked for the highway department or helped his Uncle Charlie at Kickapoo Kamp in Kerrville. He tooled belts for extra money.

Originally from Pearsall, he attended Texas A&M University and was in the Corps of Cadets and graduated from Texas A&M University in 1958. After graduating, he was commissioned into the U.S. Army in 1959 and served 20 years and retired in 1979. He also graduated from the Army’s Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, KS. Overseas duty was in Germany, Dominican Republic, twice to Vietnam and Korea. State side assignments were Ft. Benning, GA, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD; Ft. Hood, TX, Ft. Bragg, NC, Lackland AFB, TX, Ft. Leavenworth, KS, Ft. Sam Houston, TX, Ft. Polk, LA and Ft. Ben Harrison, IN. In Vietnam, he served as an Advisor to the Vietnamese Army and was a battalion executive officer. In Korea, he served as Assistant Adjutant for US Forces-Korea and the Eighth US Army. At Ft. Polk, he was the 5th Infantry Division Adjutant General. Decorations include the Bronze Star with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters (indicating three awards; Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with a 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Staff Service Honor Medal.

Upon retiring from the Army in 1979, he started his second career and entered the insurance business industry. He enjoyed helping people and making lifelong friends. The insurance career provided a lot of opportunities for learning, travel, new experiences and enjoying life. He had a passion for helping others and went above and beyond to help in any way he could. He was so much more than an insurance agent; he was a true friend to his customers as well. His service never stopped at just selling the policy. He made sure to hand deliver each policy and if there ever was a problem, question or claim on the policies that he sold, he always wanted to meet face to face to solve the problem or deliver the check. He took a lot of pride in his business, and he wanted to make sure every customer was completely satisfied. So many clients started out as customers and ended up being lifelong friends who truly adored Ford. He was a member of the Million Dollar Round Table for 35 years.

Ford was a Scottish Rite Mason and a member of Frio Lodge 399 in Pearsall since 1958.

Ford was a good and gentle man. He loved Aggie Football and supported Aggie Mom’s and other charitable organizations. Ford loved Texas history, arrowheads, coin collecting and photography. He loved Jesus and went on his Walk to Emmaus and served on 5 teams.

Dementia robbed Ford of his last years of enjoyable life but as Evelyn says- When he gets to heaven he will remember every Aggie score.

He was loved by all and cherished by his family and friends. He will be remembered as a good and gentle man who loved God, his family, friends, and those Aggies.

Ford is preceded in death by his parents Tully and Bertha Mae (Ford) “Boogie” Martin of Pearsall, TX, his brother Henry Martin of San Antonio, TX, his beloved daughter Kris Ann Martin of Bryan/College Station, TX. His brother-in-law Joe DeCock of Detroit, MI and his brother-in-law Ray DeCock of San Antonio, TX.

He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Evelyn, his sons, Greg (Amy) Martin of Odessa, TX and Gary Martin of Whitney, TX. Grandsons Braden Martin of Odessa, TX and Brett Martin and fiancée Maddie McCormick of Austin, TX. Ford cherished his family and friends, especially Debi Hartwick, his administrative assistant of 25 years.

Visitation will begin on Friday, July 12, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. at First Methodist Church in Seguin, Texas followed by funeral services at 10:30 a.m. with the Reverend Ray Perales officiating. A reception will follow in Hierholzer Hall. Serving as pallbearers at the church will be his family members.

Graveside services and interment with Full Military Honors will be held on Saturday, July 13, 2024 at 12 noon at the Pearsall Cemetery, on FM 140 East across from the Highway Department in Pearsall, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Methodist Church, 710 N. Austin St., Seguin, Texas, 78155, to any Texas A & M (Fighting Aggies) organization of choice or to any other charity of choice.