Noland Martin

One of eight siblings, he was raised in Elmendorf, Texas by his grandmother. In 1953, at age 17, he and his twin brother joined the US Army to become paratroopers. He served the next twenty-three years before retiring in 1976. While in the Army, he served multiple tours in Korea, Vietnam and Germany. His awards include the Bronze Star with oakleaf cluster, Purple Heart with oakleaf cluster, the Air Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, and others. It was on one of tours to Germany that he met the love of his life, Helga, in 1958. They married in 1959 and remained best friends and steadfast companions for the next sixty-six years.

Following his retirement in 1976, he became restless doing office work and became an owner operator in the trucking industry. Following his second retirement in 1998, he embarked on a third career volunteering. He gave countless hours to two causes; He was an interpretive docent for the National Park Service at the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park where he specialized in relating the story of the life of the native Americans and their treatment by the Spanish. His greatest joy came from serving twenty-two years with the Fort Sam Houston Memorial Services Detachment providing military honors at funerals for fellow veterans. He made many friends with fellow volunteers and always enjoyed the camaraderie.

He is survived by his wife Helga, their son Carl and their daughter-in-law Helen. His surviving siblings, Virginia, Carole and Roland and many nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to the Intermediate Care ICU staff and the Palliative Care team at Methodist Hill Country Hospital for the excellent and considerate care.