Ted Michael Martin

Ted Michael Martin, age 76, passed away Saturday, July 19, 2025, in New Braunfels, Texas. Ted was born on January 8th, 1949, in Corpus Christi, Texas. We remember and celebrate a truly extraordinary life.

One of twelve siblings, growing up in a large household with modest means, Ted learned responsibility and hard work from a very young age to help contribute to his family. He would often share stories of his early days—picking cotton in the South Texas sun during summer breaks in his adolescence, helping the janitorial staff at his middle school after classes, and working his way up from stocker to checker at a local grocery store in high school. These humble beginnings planted the seeds of the tireless work ethic and determination that would later define his adult life.

As Ted approached his senior year of high school, the Vietnam War was escalating, and the draft reached its highest level—382,000 young men conscripted in a single year. Ted and three of his close friends, knowing they couldn’t rely on deferments or college exemptions, decided to take their fate into their own hands and enlisted together under the Army’s “Buddy System.”

They trained together in infantry school, rifleman tactics, truck driving, personnel administration, and weapons operations. But as the war intensified in late 1967, the “Buddy System” promises quickly unraveled.

Within hours of landing at Bien Hoa Air Base, Ted’s world shifted dramatically—welcomed by mortar fire and chaos. Friends were separated and reassigned to different platoons. What began as support roles quickly became front-line combat.

From early 1968 to 1969 Ted served in active combat in Vietnam. This year would later be recorded as the deadliest year of the entire Vietnam war, with the total friendly and enemy combatant death tolls adding up to over a quarter of a million lost souls. He saw the horrors of combat firsthand: patrolling the jungle, transporting supplies under fire, serving as an aerial gunner on Huey helicopters, and eventually working as Military Police near the end of his tour. Miraculously, Ted returned home physically unscathed. However, later he suffered the effects from long term exposure to Agent Orange. A chemical blend of herbicide and defoliant from the 1960s that the US military would strategically use in theater.

Ted was proud of his service. He always stood for the flag, saluted during the anthem, and reminded those around him that freedom is not free. Over the course of his military career, Ted earned two promotions, served six years (three active, three inactive), and was honorably discharged in 1971 with the rank of E-5 Specialist. His last station was at Fort Sam Houston with the 112th Military Intelligence Unit. He received eight medals, including an Army Commendation medal and Vietnam Campaign Medal.

After his service, Ted explored a few different jobs before finding his stride in retail sales at Josephs Men’s store. Where he became the first General Manager of all their locations. He had a natural gift—he knew how to connect with people, how to carry himself with confidence, and he knew how to make others feel seen. More importantly, he knew how to look good!

As a single man in his 20s with access to a suit store in the early 70s, he was able to run the local disco scene at a level that even John Travolta would envy. That is until he met a young lady named Elizabeth Luker. With looks that lit up a room and a personality that could finally counter Teds, it was a wrap. The two married within two years of dating in 1976.

During this time, Ted also took college courses through the GI Bill, eventually earning an associate degree from San Antonio College. In the 70s an associates degree would be more than enough for any individual. However, Ted wasn’t content with just “enough.” While working full-time, he commuted to Southwest Texas State University to earn his bachelor's degree in business—the first in his family to do so. And then he went even further, earning a master’s degree in Public Administration, often gone for 16 hours a day between work and school. Still, he made a promise to Elizabeth: that every sacrifice made now would be repaid many times over in the future —and he meant it.

Ted’s career ambitions took him into the insurance industry, starting as a rural sales rep with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. He drove from small town to small town, listening to motivational tapes and perfecting his pitch. In just a year, he led his office in sales.

But he saw an opportunity others didn’t—"what if I went from being able to offer clients not just one insurance carrier, but all of them.” So, despite having a steady job with a comfortable salary, company car plus benefits, Ted took a leap of faith and started Martin Insurance Group, LLP, one of the first independent employee benefits brokerages in San Antonio.

What began as a one-man operation grew quickly. He built a team, trained them meticulously, and set a new standard for service in the industry. Under his leadership, MIG was repeatedly named one of San Antonio’s Top Veteran-Owned, Top Minority-Owned, and Top Independently-Owned Agencies.

Ted didn’t stop there. He earned four professional insurance designations, including the prestigious Registered Employee Benefits Consultant and Certified Life Underwriter. For Ted, education was always the key to staying ahead—and helping others succeed.

He was also a savvy investor, owning a limo service, a trucking company, a used car lot, and building a strong portfolio in real estate. His success opened doors: he served on the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Board, Northside Chamber of Commerce, the San Antonio Fiesta Commission, Rey Feo Royal Court, and even became an honorary Bexar County Sheriff’s Deputy. He also volunteered at church, sponsored Little League teams, and supported countless community efforts.

And thanks to Elizabeth’s travel expertise, they saw the world—Brazil, Argentina, Mediterranean ports, Spain, Italy, Monaco, Portugal, Germany, Switzerland, Australia, Caribbean islands and nearly every resort in Mexico. Together, they made the most of every opportunity life gave them.

Above all, Ted was a man of deep faith, a devoted husband and father, and a natural-born leader. He had a rare ability to see more in people than they saw in themselves—and he helped them rise to meet that vision.

Ted touched countless lives through his service, his business, his mentorship, and his friendship. He will be missed deeply—but his legacy lives on in the lives he changed, the family he loved, and the values he stood for.

Ted is survived by his loving wife, Elizabeth, daughter, Christine Loudermilk (Parker),  son, Taylor Martin (Monica), six grandchildren, McKaylee, Westley, Brantley, Briella, Blakely, Kambri and brothers, Jesse, Rudy and Hector, sisters, Yolanda, Pinkie, Marci, Sandy.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, VVA Chapter #366 or your church.

Thank you, Ted, for everything.