Obituary
FRANK NILSON MARTINO, Denton businessman, civic and church leader, passed away on June 9
th
due to complications from an accident while on a trip in South Africa. He was 78 years old.
Frank was a forceful, dynamic man whose large stature was only the physical expression of an expansive personality.
He was full of life and enjoyed it as much as probably a dozen other men. He had an extroverted, Type A personality. He always had a task, was on his way to an activity, or was planning something. Most of the time he was doing all three simultaneously. And he always invited and included whoever was at hand.
He had a twinkle in his eye which signaled that he had a joke or anecdote that he was waiting for the right time to spring on you. The twinkle was left over from a permanent mischievous expression when he was a boy- if his other two brothers
'
stories are anything to go by.
He took his work seriously, his family seriously, and his God seriously. But he didn't take himself all that seriously.
He was proud to be an American. Part of that was only because Texas happens to part of the union. He was a Texan first and always. He deeply believed that Zion and Heaven intersected somewhere just north of Dallas‑Ft. Worth.
His pride and joy was his family. He loved his wife and his sons and their families in a way that was apparent to everyone that knew him. He loved nothing more than watching his children (and grandchildren) grow up and then taking immense pride and joy in seeing the wonderful people they had become. He served as a loving Patriarch and exemplar to an extensive family that was related by love and respect to one another.
He will be remembered for his sense of humor, his interest in absolutely everyone, his civic and philanthropic commitments, and his dedication to his family (and vast extended family). Above all, it was his deep dedication to the mission of his Church that served as profound lessons to so many people in ways that he probably never knew.
He made the Gospel of Jesus Christ the most important aspect of his life.
Frank Martino was born on
March 29, 1929
to J. Frank and Edla Nilson Martino in Dallas, Texas and attended Woodrow Wilson High School. Frank was the second of three sons.
Their home was filled with animals, noise, and plenty of playful sibling rivalry.
Frank was graduated from the University of Texas in 1949 with a degree in Business Administration. As a Longhorn alumnus he took great pride in his
alma mater
and its reputation both on and off the gridiron. At The University he met Betty Jean Newman from Denton, Texas and they were married in Denton
on July 23, 1949.
He always said that the fastest way to the top was to work very hard and marry the boss
'
s daughter. He joined his father‑in‑law, Rowe Newman, at his apparel business, Russell‑Newman, as a route salesman in 1949. Taking various jobs in sales and operations, he was named President in 1969. By 1982 all four of his sons had joined the company which now has four generations of management with Frank
'
s grandsons employed there. Frank served as President and Chairman of the Board of Russell‑Newman, various subsidiaries, and numerous other independent business and real estate ventures.
However, his sense of accomplishment was also combined with a humble dedication to service‑ within his profession, the North Texas community, and his Church.
He served as a Director of the American Apparel Manufacturers Association and as President of the Southwest American Apparel Manufacturers Association. He was a long time member and President of the Denton Kiwanis Club. He helped organize and also served as President of the Denton Ski Club. He was elected President of the Denton Chamber of Commerce and received the "Otis Fowler" Award from them for his distinguished service to the community. He served as President of the Denton County United Way Campaign. He was the recipient of the
"
Good Scout
"
Award by the Longhorn Council for his service on behalf of the Boy Scouts of America. He served as the Chairman of the Denton County Republican Party. He was chapter President as well as a National Director of Sigma Phi Epsilon, the social fraternity. He was also a member of the Dallas Petroleum Club.
Martino also served as the Chair of the Dallas Chapter of the Brigham Young University Management Society as well as serving on the National Advisory Council for the Marriott School of Management at BYU.
He also served as Chairman of the Texas Woman
'
s University Foundation and as Chairman of TWU's President
'
s Council, for which he received the "Founders Award
"
for his generous contributions of time and gifts.
Frank and his wife, Betty, loved to travel. They liked seeing "the sights
"
and had traveled to six continents. But exotic places weren
'
t near as attractive as trips with, or to see, family members.
He was always a religious man. Due to the invitation of Dick and Pat Ragsdale, he and Betty joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints (LDS) in 1967 after they had both received their own personal testimonies. That milestone was to have a wonderfully profound effect on him, his family, and several generations to come. He served enthusiastically in the Church in whatever capacity he was asked to serve. His example of duty in Priesthood callings included serving as a Ward Missionary, Counselor in the Stake Presidency, Bishop, and President of the Dallas Temple.
He is survived by his wife, Betty, his four sons, Jim (Jennie) Martino, David (Deanie) Martino, Trey (Patty) Martino, Rick (Connie) Martino, foster son and daughter Jerry and (Kim) Coslett, all of Aubrey, Texas; his brother, Paul (Kaye) Martino of Weatherford, Texas; numerous other foster children, 26 grandchildren, and
17
great‑grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his father, James Frank Martino, his mother, Edla Dorothea Nilson Martino, his older brother, Karl Albert Martino, and two of his grandsons, Cameron David Martino and Tannon Boyd Martino.
Pallbearers are: Jason Labrum, Chris Short, Ben Gold, Richie Bowman, Ben Martino, Tyler Hortin, Brandon Martino, Dustin Peterson, Drew Martino, Blake Martino, Mike Martino, Joseph Martino, Eric Martino, Matthew Martino, and Chris Coslett.
Honorary Pallbearers are: Cameron Martino, Tannon Martino, Dick Ragsdale, Bob Nobles, Merle Eggett, Burke Petersen, George Hopkins, Conrad Kinard, and Web Camp.
A visitation will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints, 3000 Old North Road, Denton, Texas on Friday, June 15, 2007, from 6:00 p.m. till 9:00 p.m.
Funeral Services will be held at the Church on Saturday, June 16, 2007, 10:00 a.m. Dedication of the grave will follow at Rose Lawn Cemetery immediately after the funeral. Arrangements are being provided by Mulkey-Mason Funeral Home in Denton, Texas.
Donations in memory of Frank Martino can be made to Marriott School of Management, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84602, or to the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 1945, Denton, Texas 76202 or to a charity of choice.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Frank Nilson Martino, please visit our flower store.
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