Major Ernest Lionel Martin, Retired

Ernest Lionel “Lon” Martin of San Antonio, Texas, joined his beloved dog, Sammy, in heaven on Sunday, August 10, 2025. He celebrated his 88th birthday with family and friends just a week prior.

Lon was born in Norfolk, Virginia  August 2, 1937, to Eugene Vernon and Dorothy Aline Martin. Lon received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Virginia Military Institute “VMI”. After graduation, Lon joined the US Army where he flew helicopters(Huey and Cobra) and fixed wing planes (Caribou).

Over the course of his distinguished military career, which included tours in Vietnam and Korea, Lon earned The Distinguished Flying Cross, two Bronze Stars, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, The Air Medal eight times, VietnamService Medal with Silver Service Star, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm, and Senior Army Aviator Badge. Much of his military career was spent in Fort Sill Oklahoma, Fort Rucker Alabama, Stuttgart Germany and Fort Hood Texas. Lon retired from the US Army after 20 years of service and earning the rank of Major.

Lon built a 20-year career with Prudential Life Insurance after his military service. In his first year with Prudential, Lon won an award for the best insurance agent among all insurance companies in the San Antonio, Texas area, which was presented by then Mayor Lila Cockrell. He was promoted to management after his first year, a rare event in the insurance industry. Lon retired as General Manager of the West Texas/Southern New Mexico area and lived in El Paso, Texas.

Upon retiring from the workforce, Lon and Patty, his wife of over 64 years, moved to San Antonio, Texas, to be near their children and grandchildren. Lon loved being Grandpa the Great, picking up his grandchildren and their friends after school, attending school events and just spending time with his grand and great grandchildren. They were the absolute joy of his life.

Throughout his life Lon was an avid golfer and enjoyed his time on the course with his friends. In 2014, he achieved a hole-in-one at Randolph Oaks Golf Course and attended the Master’s Golf Tournament in Augusta, GA. Lon was also known for enjoying lunches with friends at Jason’s Deli. He was a member of the Masonic Temple and Shriners and also was involved in community service and philanthropy.

Lon is preceded in death by his parents Eugene Vernon Martin and Dorothy Aline Martin, brother Eugene Vernon Martin Jr., sister Marilyn Ann Mick, daughter Lori Ann Markle, son-in-law William Wrick Markle, and grandson Ellery Everett Walker. Lon is survived by his wife Patricia “Patty” Mae Martin, son Bradford Lionel Martin (Terri), daughters Susan Jean Martin and Kimberly Dawn Martin (Todd), grandchildren Amy Austin Lynch (Ryan) Christina Cheyenne Sommerville (Shye), and William Cody Markle (Kate), and great-grandchildren