Thomas Martenstein

Thomas Brackett Martenstein, 86, passed away on Sunday, April 21, 2019 at his home in Mobile, Alabama. “Tom” or “Tommy”, was born to General Austin Walrath Martenstein and Lucy Ethyl Priddy Martenstein on May 25, 1932 in Dayton, Ohio. The product of a military family, Tommy moved to Mobile when his father became the acting General over Brookley Air Force Base. Tommy joined the United States Air Force himself, as a military pilot. A graduate of the Virginia Military Institute, Tommy then started a career in engineering. He was the former President of Smith Kelly Supply as well as the former President of Prestress Concrete. Tommy always worked hard – was always proud of his accomplishments. In fact, he worked until the last year of his life. But he also enjoyed being with friends and a good joke. He was the member of the Rotary Club (Past President), Senior Bowl, several Mystic Organizations, and the Navy League (Past President). Tommy was an avid sports fan, (Alabama, of course). Tommy was a great singer, and had a beautiful tenor voice. He enjoyed singing along to opera (which he listened to often), sang in the church choir growing up, and even put in special effort to sing for his friends for their birthdays. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, and he loved his dogs. Tommy believed in treating people with respect, always paying your debts, and being honest. He was a tough but fair man who will be greatly missed.

Tommy was preceded in death by his parents, General Austin and Ethyl Martenstein; brother, Austin Walrath Martenstein, Jr.; and his twin sister, Lucy Martenstein Young.

Left to cherish his memories is his loving wife of almost 60 years, Carolyn Turner Martenstein; sons, Thomas Brackett Martenstein, Jr. (Keith Jay Bowers), Austin Martenstein (Traci Borah Redmond), and Eric Turner Martenstein (Amber Hobbs Martenstein); three adored grandchildren, Thomas Brackett Martenstein, III, John Tyler Martenstein, and Mamie Lee Martenstein; as well as a host of other loving family and friends.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2019 from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. at Pine Crest Funeral Home on Dauphin Island Parkway in Mobile, with a chapel service immediately following. Interment will be in Pine Crest Cemetery.