Noel Preston Martin, 93, of Gallatin, Tennessee, passed away peacefully January 13, 2023, after a short fight with cancer.
Noel was born May 5, 1929 in Gallatin.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Oscar Eugene Martin (1895-1990) and Allen Palmer House Martin (1898-1993), his first wife of 26 years, Elaine Warden Martin (1930-1979), his second wife of 41 years, Margaret Ann “Patsy” Carroll Martin (1938-2022), brothers Oscar Eugene Martin, Jr. (1925-1934), Allen Palmer Martin (1927-2021), Walter Eugene Keplinger (1937-1979), and stepdaughter Kathy Lynn Smith (1957-2019).
He is survived by brother Thomas Dean Martin (Ann) of Gallatin, sister Virginia Eleanor Harmon Paunovich of Nashville, TN, son David Noel Martin (Martha White) of Gracey, KY, daughter Deborah Jean Martin Halbrooks (Rick) of Birmingham, AL, son Terrance Lee Martin (Laura) of Gallatin, stepdaughter Cynthia Diane Smith Wilson of Hartselle, AL, eight grandchildren (Andy, Ben, Alan, Luke, Drew, Lara, Brittany, and Rachel), and fourteen great-grandchildren.
Noel graduated from Gallatin High in 1947 and received a Bachelor of Engineering from Vanderbilt in 1951. He married Elaine in 1952 and worked several years for TVA in Camden, TN and Paducah, KY, before returning to his hometown of Gallatin in 1960.
Noel and Elaine raised three children, David, Deborah, and Terry. Elaine was a school teacher. Noel and Harold Boyd opened Boyd and Martin Electric, where for decades they worked as HVAC contractors. Noel was a property developer, building homes, apartments, duplexes, a trailer court, an office building, and was an original owner of MGM Market.
For many years the family attended Lambeth Methodist where Noel and Elaine enjoyed working with the children and youth; later they moved to First Methodist.
Noel married Patsy in 1980. Patsy was a bookkeeper and secretary and had two adult daughters, Kathy and Cindie. Noel and Patsy attended Saundersville Methodist and acted as youth leaders for many years. They were founding board members of The Jason Foundation. Noel was also a long-time board member of Volunteer State Bank. As a member of the Gallatin Noon Rotary Club, he is especially remembered for his involvement in their bicycles for students program.
He was a devoted Vandy sports fan, an avid fisherman, and enjoyed taking family, friends, and youth groups to his second home in Rugby, Tennessee to hike and swim. With Elaine and then with Patsy, Noel traveled all over the world. Noel was a woodworker, carver and artist, whereby he was known for his beautiful furniture, cabinetry, and carved and painted ducks. Many of his handcrafted items were donated to charity auctions.
Noel experienced a healthy, long, and happy life, was a devoted husband and family man, a good friend to many, and a generous spirit.
Funeral arrangements are by Alexander Funeral Home. Visitation will be held Friday, January 20 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Gallatin followed by the funeral service at 3:00 p.m. A burial service for the family will take place the following day at Laurel Dale Cemetery in Rugby, Tennessee. https://www.alexandergallatin.com
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Saundersville United Methodist Church, 710 E. Main St., Hendersonville, TN 37075.
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