John Franklin Martin was born on Friday, July 15, 1932 at 8:00 am in McAllen, TX to Odem Patrick (OP) and Leita Martin. A Friday child is considered loving and giving. John died on Sunday, March 26, 2017 at 12:05 am. On Sunday, which is considered a day of the Sabbath, the day of rest. John lived his 84 years 8 months and 11 days as a loving and giving person.

He grew up in McAllen, TX and graduated from McAllen High School in 1950. He attended one year at Texas A&I in Kingsville, TX. He then joined the USAF on May 29, 1951. He married his high school sweetheart Geraldine Chandler in August of 1952. They were blessed with four wonderful children, Deborah, Stephen, Cheryl, and Michael during their 31 years of marriage.

John spent 23 years in the USAF (May 1951- June 1974) serving his country with pride and dignity. He retired as a Chief Master Sergeant in the field of data processing and computer operations. After retirement he continued working in the field on computers and public relations with several different financial centers. He was a Mason for over 60 plus years and the Shrine organization. He was very proud of all the good he was able to do and achieve during his time spent in these organizations.

In 1983 he met his second wife (My Bride) as he always called her, Helen R. Mumford Hall. They married on August 4, 1984. Not only did he marry her but also choose to become a loving and giving step dad to her two children Jason and Kathryn. There was a 20 year difference in their life span. Needless to say that was a big step he chose to take on at that time in his life.

It was a big challenge that he and her chose to take. Helen was also born on a Friday, November 14, 1952. She too considered to be a loving and giving person as a Friday child. Between the both of them they brought together a family of six children that he loved unconditional and did his best to make it work and he did, succeed in that through the bad and good times of their 33 years together.

He stayed involved with baseball, cub scouts, football, and many other things with his children during his life time. He loved to have family gatherings that always included playing cards and board games and hunting and fishing and most of all the bar-b-ques. Rain or shine there was always bar-b-ques as often as could be. He loved the times that he was able to spend with his grandkids and great grandkids.

I truly believe the trust he had and the love for his Lord Jesus and the 60 plus years as a Mason and Shrine organization and the 23 years in the USAF helped him to accomplish his goals in life, which was to a loving and caring person that he was in the 84 years that he lived.

My pray for you John, my love, will continue on in the love ones you have left behind. May they find peace and comfort in knowing that God chose to call you home to rest in peace on Sunday, March 26, 2017 the day of peace and love and rest.

"Life isn't measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breathe away" Thank you for sharing all of those moments with me. Until we meet again may God Bless You and all my love to you I give. Your Loving Bride, Helen.

The first time I met John was a surprise. I had decided to visit my daughter and grandkids for the weekend. The grandkids were spending the weekend with their Dad. I knew my daughter had talked about seeing a man that worked for Frost Bank in San Antonio. He often came to Kleberg Bank in Kingsville, where she worked, on business trips.

When I knocked on the door and came on in I was surprised to see them both in their bathrobes drinking coffee and reading the paper. Of course it was an awkward moment. I said hello and my daughter introduced me to John as this is my Mom, Delores Conway. He said hello Mom I am John Martin. From that moment on and up until he passed away John always called me Mom. I called him son, as if he was one of my own children. The unusual thing about that was that John was six months older than me. But that did not matter I was his Mom.

During the later part of John's life during his illness he acted like a little boy at times. When he and Helen would come to visit me he would try to sneak candy from the candy dish, that I kept on the table where he would always sit. He would hide them in his pockets. He would also sneak into the kitchen and sneak cookies out of the cookie jar. Helen would fuss at him and I would say stop let him have them. He would always look at me with that big smile and blue eyes and say thanks Mom.

John told me many times that I was more of a Mom to him than his own Mom had been. I truly loved him as much as if he was one of my own children even though he was six months older than me. Rest in peace my son you were to well loved, to ever be forgotten. Love you, Mom.

To my Dear Daddy, 

When I think of you my eyes fill with tears, just as they are now while I write.  I miss you Daddy and I wish I could give you a great big hug and kiss and whisper in you ear "I LOVE YOU"!

I've been missing you for a long time already, though, you know.  You've not had any part in conversations or played games - like Marbles & Jokers - for quite some time now.  Alzheimers/Dementia is not a kind illness to have.  It is very confusing  I will say that you handled it very well.  Well, only Helen knows exactly how well. But, anytime you were in public or visiting with other family members, you did your best in every situation and would just sit back or sit aside somewhere and smile your beautiful smile with your sparkling blue eyes.  I know it was not because you didn't want to join in on conversation and merriment but because you just couldn't. I hope that when I am in my 80's that I am amiss about you, sitting there with your pretty blue eyes and that beautiful smile. Even though you were going through a lot, no one woulda known. Most did not even know. But, Helen knew because she was always by your side; she loves you like no woman could love a man. I have to say that you did go out with grace Daddy (and with Helen's help). And, I hope I can do so as well when it is my time.

I have many memories of you to treasure, Daddy and treasure them I will. I want to thank you for so many things. But, if I start listing them, I know I will leave some important things out. But, I do have to say, thank you so very much for all the time and effort you put in helping me campaign for safer roadways out in our neck of the woods after Amy's fatal accident. You went above and beyond the call of Daddy duty supporting me. It not only helped us to get the speed limit reduced and a traffic light up, it helped to keep me sane after a horrific event. Thank you for always being there for me throughout my whole life backing me up no matter what I did. You taught me good morals, respect, reliability, trustworthiness, loyalty. You taught me about racism and how it was wrong. You taught me to be a good person. Thank you Daddy, thank you so much.

It's hard to think now how to go on without ever talking to you again. I miss you Daddy. So I guess I will just go ahead and talk to you in my dreams or when I'm alone. You'll know, you'll hear me.

I LOVE YOU DADDY!!!

P.S.
I sure did have fun with you during all those visits while you were in Brookdale! Special memories there I tell ya!

A final salute to the Chief.  I appreciated all the opportunities I had to visit with him on my trips home from my duties in Europe and after I moved back to the San Antonio area.  My deepest condolences and prayers to Cheri/Lamarr, Helen and all.

EASTER SUNDAY 2017  REMEMBERING JOHN
The first time Helen Ruth introduced John to me he had a big smile on his face and he met me with a firm handshake.  Over the years I came to know John as a JOVEAL person who always had a smile on his face.  One who loved telling and listening to a GOOD JOKE and when he burst into his large crackled laughter it would fill the room with HAPPINESS. John showed me that he was a HUMBLE person. He never bragged about any part of his Life  I never once heard a curse word from him.  When I saw and heard about his work dedication and commitment to the MASONS you knew it all came with a huge Heart of LOVE.

John knew my Daddy as "The Colonel" and John was his "Captain".  "Colonel" is your "Big Toe Hurting"?  When you heard that no matter the time of the day you knew it was time for a BEER as it was always "5 O'clock somewhere".  The Rancho always provided Good Gathering and A Good Barbeque.  John always enjoyed Barbequing sausage and chicken breast marinated by Helen Ruth.

There was always good times at Mama's whether it was Barbequing or watching a SPURS or COWBOYS game.  For John it was always "MOM" to Mama.  I saw the respect and LOVE to Mama. Especially when Mama would give him candy.  He'd say "Thanks Mom" and then give her his HUGE SMILE like a boy in the COOKIE JAR.  

Whether it was traveling down the beach at South Padre Island or driving down to Medina Lake to see the deer and The Sunset it was always a pleasure to Have a Beer or A Drink of Scotch and Black Velvet with John and Helen Ruth.  It was always a good time when playing "Marbles and Jokers".  I would always tell Helen Ruth and John this game should be called "Liars, Cheater's and Cutthroats"  then immediately John would always Burst into his HUGH Crackled Laugh which I will always remember. Our trip to ALASKA and The Voyage on the cruise ship with John, Helen Ruth and Cissy will always be A GREAT Memory one BUCKETLIST TRIP of A LIFETIME.

When The "Colonel" died (Rest in Peace Daddy) I spoke at Daddy's funeral.  Later that evening John spoke to me privately and asked me to speak at his funeral.  I told him I would be Honored.  Since I'm not able to speak at his funeral This Acknowledgement of Remembrance is My Testament to John.

John's Life was of Love To All His Friends, Family, Children, Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren and to His "BRIDE" as he called Helen Ruth.  A man of Humility, He served his country in The United States Air Force with Dignity, Honor and A Full Retirement.   His time and training to help setup the first ATM's in Texas Banks while serving as Vice-President in Computer Services at FROST BANK, also showed his commitment to his work and Family.  His Dedication and The Time given to "The Masons" showed The Love and Kindness Towards Mankind.  "The Shriner's"  showed a dedication to The Children at Shriner's Hospitals. 
 Cissy and I will be Gifting A Donation in Johns Honor and His Remembrance.

The last time I visited John I entered his room where he laid and he gave me A Big Smile, like always.  We talked a little bit.  I told him that I wanted to Thank him for taking care of Helen Ruth and her children and providing her with A Good Life.  He smiled again and said to me "You're Welcome".  I shook his hand  and told him I loved him and he told me I love you too.  There was a tear in both our eyes.  I walked out of the room turned at the door looked back at him and said "I'll see you later".  He gave me his usual Big Smile / Trademark,  the same smile I saw when I first met him and the last Smile that I would see from him ever.

FAREWELL BROTHER!
     FAREWELL......FAREWELL!

RIP, JOHN.
MAY ALL THE FAMILY REJOICE KNOWING GOD WAS THERE WAITING FOR JOHN AND HE LEAD HIM THRU THE STREETS OF GOLD.  OUR CONDOLENCES AND PRAYERS GOING YOUR WAY.  WE WILL MISS JOHN.

Hoping you all will find comfort in knowing John is with his Savior now..may peace be with you. John was such a loving brother-in-law and uncle, always smiling and with open arms to our family. We will deeply miss him. Much love, sympathy and prayers, Robbie, Monique and Mason

Just found out that John is at peace now.  All my love to Helen, Steve, Debbie, Sherri, and all the family.  I loved playing games with him and Helen at Sherri's and Lamarr's.  He was a very Happy person and I Loved his laughter and him being such a kidder.  Love, hugs, and prayers.

OBITUARY

John Franklin Martin

15 July, 1932 – 26 March, 2017

Sunset North Funeral Home

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