MSG Grant G. Martin, USA Ret., 82, of Wesley Chapel, FL, passed away peacefully on October 8, 2013.
Grant joined the US Army when he was 18 yrs. old. He served his country from November 1948 to November 1968.
After his boot camp was sent to Korea and assigned to an outfit called the Raiders Company. It was a long cold winter. He was never warm for 6 months. He froze both of his feet.
Grant became a high speed radio operator and was known to be one of the best.
When he returned Stateside he was eventually sent to Fort Bragg where he joined the newly introduced unit call the Green Berets, or Special Forces. He went through very rigorous training. And after some time was sent to West Point to teach the young Cadets military Strategy. He was an instructor there four years and then returned to Special Forces and service in Okinawa, where he then did two tours to Vietnam.
Towards the end of his military career, he served as the Master of the US Army vessel, T-442, a 65 foot steel hull cargo vessel displacing 80 tons. Operated this vessels in the open waters of Okinawa and other islands of the Ryukyus. The vessels mission was to support the US Armies Special Forces training.
He is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Renee Joy Martin; two sons, John and Ken (Cathy); three daughters, Sandra, Sherry and Shari (Art); two stepsons, Brett (Autumn) and David (Tracy); sister, Barbara; 14 grandchildren: and 4 great grandchildren..
Grant was preceded in death by his parents, Grant and Charlotte, and a granddaughter, Charlene.
A celebration of Grant’s life will be held at 4 p.m., Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at Family of Christ Lutheran Church, 16190 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa, Florida, (813) 558-9343, http://familyofchristtampa.com.
Please sign the guestbook below.
We send our sincerest sympathies to Renee and family. Please know that you are loved and always in our thoughts. Grant was a wonderful brother and we will always cherish his memory.
Dear Renee – Very sorry for your loss, I’ll keep you in my prayers, stay strong, & may God Bless You & your family. God will keep you strong.
Dear Renee and the rest of Dad’s family, I’m sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in knowing that Dad is resting peacefully now. May his memory bring you comfort in the days to come. While I didn’t get to grow up with him, I did get to keep in touch with him. I’m also thankful to Renee for maintaining contact and welcoming me. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Sandra
My grandpa was always a loving and a caring man. I loved him so much and I will hold him close to my heart always.
I said a prayer for you today and know God must have heard,
I felt the answer in my heart, although he spoke not a word,
I didn’t ask for wealth nor fame, I know you wouldn’t mind,
I ask for priceless treasures, rare, of a more lasting kind,
I prayed that he would be near you at the start of each new day,
To GRANT you health and blessings fair, and friends to share the way,
I ask for happiness for you in all things great and small,
But that you’d know his loving care, I prayed for most of all.