Joseph H. Martel

We celebrate the life and mourn the loss of Joseph Martel, a loving and devoted family man, a member of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and a dedicated community leader. His enthusiasm for life, attentiveness to others and compassion to those in need will be greatly missed. Joseph enjoyed a successful career extending over 50 years as a Metlife Senior Account Executive. His professional credentials consisted of CLU, AEP, RHU and RFC. He was a member of the Texas Leaders Round Table qualifying for 2005 membership at its Grand Council Member level and was a member for 33 years. Joseph received numerous awards for his excellence in sales and service throughout his career. Joseph was a member of the Tyler Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, East Texas Estate Planning Council, and past president of the East Texas Chapter of the Society of Financial Service Professionals. He was a member and past president of the Tyler Association of Life Underwriters. Joseph was also a past president of the MetLife Veterans Association National Executive Committee. Joseph was an active member of his church and served as an usher, a member of the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus and a past Section Representative of the Southwestern Lieutenancy Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. He was actively involved in the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, collaborated with the formation of the Tyler Diocesan Council of St. Vincent de Paul and served three years as the local president. He was a past board member of the Catholic Charities East Texas. In the local and international community, Joseph proudly served as a director for Special Wish Child, Inc. Special Wish Child, Inc. was formed by the Tyler Association of Life Underwriters in 1987 to assist in granting wishes to terminally ill children or to provide life-enhancing equipment to special-needs children of the Northeast Texas Region. Joseph enthusiastically supported both the South Tyler Rotary (STR) and the District 5830 International Rotary for several decades. He served the organization in many capacities including a multiple-time Paul Harris Fellowship recipient, a past STR President and service projects leader. He was also an active supporter for Smile Train, an international children’s charity dedicated to helping provide cleft lip and palate surgery to children in need. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Charlene, their three children, their six grandchildren and numerous relatives and friends. The Visitation will be held at Stewart Family Funeral Home on Sunday, February 28, 2016 from 6:00pm to 7:00pm, with the Rosary to follow. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception at 11:00am on Monday, February 29, 2016 and officiated by Bishop Joseph E. Strickland. Memorials may be made to the South Tyler Rotary Joseph H. Martel Scholarship benefiting the Tyler Catholic Schools or any charity of your choice.

Joseph H. Martel

February 22, 2016