Brad was born April10,1960 in Greensboro, North Carolina to parents William M. Martin and Bettie J. Gibson.
Throughout the first 7 years of Brad’s life he lived in several other States including Ohio,Georgia and Florida until making it to Texas. He first lived in Victoria and about 3 years later moved to Texas City, Texas where he graduated High School in Spring of 1979.
While in Texas City, he made many lifelong friends and started playing competitive High School tennis mainly doubles with a great friend, Victor Pulich of Houston, Texas. They won countless tournaments and had so much fun on & off the tennis court. Then in Fall of 1979, Brad and Victor accepted a two year tennis scholarship to Blinn College in Brenham, Texas.
At the beginning of Brad’s second semester; one Saturday evening in January 1980, he met several friends at a skating rink turned Brenham dance hall. One of those friends was Jill Zieschang who at the time was a senior at Brenham High School. Brad completed his two years at Blinn College. He then transferred to Texas A&M in College Station, Texas where Jill just happened to be attending as well.
Brad graduated from Texas A&M in December 1982 with his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management. Jill graduated a year later in December 1983 and they married a month later in January 1984. Brad & Jill lived in Clear Lake City, Texas for the first year of marriage. Then in January 1985 they moved to The Woodlands, Texas. What a joy through 37 years together that Brad & Jill grew deep roots in The Woodlands community for 36 years. In addition during this time, they were blessed with two healthy children, Luke and Lindsey Martin who are now both grown thriving close by in the Houston area.
Brad began his career with Bridgestone Firestone in December of 1982. Over the next 35 years he dedicated his strong & loyal work ethic to Bridgestone Firestone in several different management positions. Several of his colleagues and customers had become some of his great friends. Brad
strived to do his best and earn the respect and trust of each customer he served in the
stores or districts in which he had the privilege of working.
Likewise, he was quite talented hiring and mentoring many colleagues who have become very successful in their own management positions throughout Texas. It humbled and gave Brad that sense of making a positive impact which has had a definite positive company ripple and lasting effect on teammates and customers.
After 35 years, Brad retired from Bridgestone Firestone in March 2020. In August 2020, he was honored to be offered and accept a Sales Service Manager position with Milstead Automotive in Spring, Texas.
Brad always admired the Milstead family and companies they have successfully built over the past 50 years. He enjoyed every day working with Milstead Automotive and their dedicated team over the past five
months before his sudden passing.
When Brad took time away from work, he enjoyed travelling, snow skiing, golfing and playing tennis. He also enjoyed strumming and picking on his acoustic guitar especially Rock n Roll and Country genre tunes. Last but not least, he had a blast when the karaoke machine was on, and he had the microphone.
Brad was preceded in death by his parents; William “Bill” Martin and Bettie Gibson.
His surviving family includes his wife, Jill Martin, His two children; Son: Luke Martin of Houston and Daughter: Lindsey Rulua (husband-Roman) of Houston: Three Grandsons: Blake, Landon and Lance Rulua. Three Sisters: Joni Gibson (husband-Alex) Austin, Texas Beverly Olds (husband-Mitch) of Dallas, Texas and Susan Martin of Llano, TX. One brother: Chris Martin (wife-Deb) of Seadrift, Texas One Sister in Law: Gail Chester (husband-Tim) of Athens, Georgia along with many extended cousins, nieces and nephews who all brought Brad cherished memories.
In Lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Montgomery County Food Bank.
Service:
A private graveside service will be on Wednesday, March 3, 2021 at Aggie Field of Honor Cemetery, College Station, TX.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Breakfast Club Craft Grill, 25219 Kuykendahl Rd., Tomball, TX 77375 on March 6, 2021 from 5pm - 7pm.
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