Troy C. Martin

Troy Curtis Martin was born near Sherman, Texas on January 7, 1927 and passed away on April 21, 2017 at the age of 90. He was the son of the late Elonzo B. and Lee Mae Shultz Martin. He attended school in Grayson County and graduated from Howe High School in 1943. In December 1944, he enlisted in the U.S. Maritime Service and later attended the U.S. M.S. Radio Training School in New York. He served as a radio officer on a merchant ship that was bound for the invasion of Japan when Word War II ended. After sailing with the Merchant Marines for about five months as a radio operator, he joined the U.S. Navy. After a second boot camp in San Diego, CA he served almost two years as a Radioman on a subchaser. Upon being discharged from the Navy, he entered Austin College, Sherman, TX and graduated with a B.A. degree in physics in 1950. He taught elementary school for two years in Grayson County, TX, and then entered The University of Texas at Austin and graduated with a M.A. degree in nuclear physics in 1954. He was a nuclear physicist at General Dynamics, Ft. Worth where he was awarded a patent on a nuclear radiation detector. He was a research scientist at Texas Nuclear Corporation in Austin (now TN Technologies) until 1973. In 1974, he became the Chief of the Specifications/ Inspections Section of the Texas General Services Commission, from which he retired in 1993. After retirement he worked as a consultant in Life Cycle Cost Benefit Analysis and alternative transportation fuels.Troy is preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, the former Jeannie Echo Griffin. He is survived by two sons: Stephen and wife Roxanne Youngquist Martin, of Austin, TX, and David of South Williamsport, PA; Stephen’s son Griff Martin and wife Abby Lundgren Martin and their children Blake and Jude Martin, Stephen’s daughter Abby Martin Lea and husband Jay Lea and their children Madyson and Cooper Lea, David’s stepson Alfredo Govea and wife Melissa Govea and children Cole and Lili Govea and David’s daughter Erica Marie and husband Rolando Casillas and their children Kayla, Trey, Aaliyah, and Selena (one great granddaughter Ariel predeceased him). He is also survived by a sister, Wanda Owens, of Amarillo.

Troy was a longtime member of Hyde Park Baptist Church and a founding member of Austin Baptist Church where he served as an usher and deacon. He was a member and Past Master of Round Rock Masonic Lodge No. 227 and a member and Past Patron of Round Rock Eastern Star Chapter No. 316. His favorite Bible verses were Psalm 23 and 2 Chronicles 7:14. His favorite hymns were “In the Garden” and “How Great Thou Art.”

What his family remembers most is that Granddaddy was our quiet giant. He never spoke ill of anyone. He was devoted to Granna in sickness and health. He loved us all well. He lived the last year of his life to the fullest. Grandaddy left a legacy to each of us that will be hard to equal.

A funeral will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, April 24 at Cook-Walden Capital Parks Funeral Home. A family graveside service will be held prior to the funeral. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Austin Baptist Church.