Civilian leaves legacy of dedication, compassion

By CRYSTAL LEWIS BROWN, Fort Jackson LeaderFebruary 4, 2010

Civilian leaves legacy of dedication, compassion
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- To his co-workers at the Network Enterprise Center (then the Directorate of Information Management), Donald Martin was known as a hardcore Tennessee Volunteers fan. His car was easily recognizable - it sported a Tennessee vanity plate on the front - and he routinely wore his school's color, orange.

Saturday, Martin's family and friends will pay homage to his passion - and to him - by wearing his trademark orange during a 1 p.m. memorial ceremony at Kornegay & Moseley Funeral Home and Cremation Service.

The former Army major and DA civilian died Jan. 30 after a lengthy illness.

Martin, a native of Fort Benning, Ga., enlisted in the Army in 1972 and attained the rank of staff sergeant. He then attended the University of Tennessee, where he received his commission as a second lieutenant. He retired after 24 years of service and worked for the S.C. Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services for five years.

Martin then moved on to Fort Jackson, where he worked six years at DOIM. He attained the position of information assurance manager before leaving the position to work as a contractor on post.

What co-workers remember most about Martin, besides his love for sports, was his dedication to his job.

"He worked hard, he put in his 12-hour days, sometimes 13," said Rene Muniz, chief of the Information Assurance Division.

Muniz said when he first came to DOIM in 2007, Martin was stepping into his new role as information assurance manager, a position that put him in charge of managing all aspects of the installation's network security program. He was also responsible for developing and managing command IA policy and guidance.

"He was basically the leader in protecting the entire Fort Jackson network," Muniz said. "He was the go-to person."

Jesus RosaVelez, NEC director, agreed.

"We're going to miss Don for his professionalism, absolute dedication and spot-on counsel. He led the charge for the security of the Fort Jackson information technology infrastructure and, as a result of his ingenuity, the installation today is postured to support the Army's network goal of protect and defend," RosaVelez said. "He was definitely a catalyst -- he ensured that we were in the right direction where cyber security is concerned."

Martin will also be rememberedby his co-workers as a sociable person.

"He was a good co-worker, and at one time, he was my boss," said Harold Ruth, who worked with Martin for six years at DOIM. "He was a great, great person. He was always looking out for everybody; he was always good to everybody."

Muniz said, "He was just a very good guy who left too soon."

Martin is survived by his wife, Erin Darlene, a son, a daughter and four grandchildren.

Those attending the memorial service are asked to wear bright colors, specifically, orange.

Donations are being accepted in lieu of flowers and may be made to: The Masonic Home for Children at Oxford, 600 College Street, Oxford, NC, 27565.