Gary Edwin Martilla

Born October 1, 1940 in Portland, Oregon. Died November 13, 2016 in Universal City, TX. Gary passed away peacefully in his sleep early Sunday morning, at his home and surrounded by loved ones. Gary grew up on a farm in Damascus, Oregon, the eldest of 5 siblings born to Ed and Ruby Martilla. He graduated in 1958 from Gresham High School, Gresham, Oregon. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in January 1961, and subsequently completed specialty training at the Air Force’s personnel school at Greenville AFB, Mississippi. His first assignment was to Itazuke Air Base in Fukuoka, Japan, where he met and married his wife, Tokiko. His daughter, Debra, and son, Kevin, were born during his next assignment at Maxwell AFB, Montgomery, Alabama. After earning his Bachelor’s Degree from Texas Lutheran College and attaining the rank of Master Sergeant, he was selected to attend Officer Training School. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in April 1971. As a personnel officer, he served in headquarters staff positions at the Air Force Personnel Center, Randolph AFB in San Antonio, Texas, and at the Air Reserve Personnel Center in Denver, Colorado. In 1984, he earned his Master’s Degree in Personnel Management while attending the Air Force’s Air Command and Staff College. He then served as the Chief of the Consolidated Base Personnel Office for Bergstrom AFB in Austin, Texas. His final assignment was to Bolling AFB in Washington, D.C., retiring from the Air Force on October 1, 1993 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, after 32 years and 9 months of honorable service. In retirement, he enjoyed being around his grandchildren, family, and friends, going to the Judson High School football games, helping out at Stone Oak Elementary and traveling across the U.S. and around the world. He is preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Tokiko Mimi (Kunihiro) Martilla of Fukuoka, Japan; his father, Edwin W. Martilla of Portland, Oregon; and his mother, Ruby E. (French) Martilla of Portland, Oregon. He is survived by his two children, Debra and Kevin; two grandchildren, Erik and Regan; sisters Judy, Pat, and Rebecca; and brother, Frank. His family will host a Celebration of Life on December 4, 2016. The graveside service and interment ceremony is scheduled for 9:30 am on December 5, 2016 at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Gary requested donations be given to one of the following charities that he supported in life:

- Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwariorproject.org)

- The Fisher House Foundation (www.fisherhouse.org)

- Homes for Our Troops (www.hfotusa.org)

- San Antonio Food Bank (www.safoodbank.org)

- National Military Family Association (www.militaryfamily.org)

- Marine Toys for Tots (www.toysfortots.org)