Joel Mark Gartenberg

Obituary of Joel Mark Gartenberg

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Joel Mark Gartenberg passed away peacefully on March 26, 2026 with his loving wife, Sally, by his side. He was born in the Bronx, New York, on April 19, 1942, to Claire and Irving Gartenberg. He attended public schools there until the family, which included Joel, sister Gail, and brother David, moved to Las Vegas, NV, in 1954. Joel graduated from Rancho High School, where has was involved in such school activities as Thespians, JROTC, athletics, and Junior Achievement.

Following graduation, Joel enlisted in the US Army, where he served with the Corps of Engineers in a construction battalion in Pirmasens, Germany. He graduated from the challenging Seventh Army NCO Academy in 1960. In 1962 he applied for and was admitted to the US Military Academy Preparatory School at Belvoir, VA. At the Prep School, he applied for and received nominations to the US Military Academy (USMA) and US Merchant Marine Academy. He entered USMA in July 1962 and participated in the Jewish Chapel Choir, German Club, Rabble Rousers, Hop Committee, and was a company commander his senior year. He graduated and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry in June 1966. Following graduation, he attended and was graduated from the Ranger and Airborne courses and assigned as a platoon leader and company commander of an infantry unit in Aschaffenburg, Germany. In 1968 he went to Vietnam, where he served as a battalion senior advisor and staff advisor for Vietnamese units in Kontum Province. Other assignments from his 27 years of service included two tours as instructor/assistant professor of military science, recruiting area commander, and command and staff positions in infantry divisions and other organizations. In addition to combat service in Vietnam, Joel served five overseas tours (Germany and Korea). His military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster and "V" device, Purple Heart, Air Medal, five Meritorious Service Medals, Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster and "V" device, Combat and Expert Infantry badges, Ranger Tab, and Airborne Wings. Joel was very proud of his service to his country and retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1990.

Joel moved back to Las Vegas after retirement until 2000, when he moved to Dallas, TX. There he married Dorothy, who died in 2015. He married loving Sally Owen in 2016. In 1993 Joel began writing proposals for various defense contractors, which he did until 2015. He served on the board of his West Point class. He also served as President of the Las Vegas West Point Society, Commander of the Las Vegas Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars and had various positions in the Las Vegas Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America. He served as his West Point class' manager of memorial articles for deceased classmates, served on the class officer board and participated in planning reunions.

Joel is survived by his wife of 10 years, Sally of Mansfield, TX; son Jeffrey Gartenberg (Colleen) of Las Vegas, NV; stepson Craig Houk (Bren) of Maricopa, AZ; stepdaughter Michelle Corneau (Max) of Royse City, TX; stepson David Garrett (Taka) of Long Beach, CA; stepdaughter Linda Gould (Jason) of San Antonio, TX; stepdaughter Deondra Owen of Tyler, TX; granddaughter Maddie Gartenberg of Las Vegas, NV; stepgrandson Matt Houk of Longmont, CO; stepgrandson Will Houk (Hillory) of Gilbert, AZ; stepgrandson Dustin Bryant (Nicolle) of Chandler, AZ; stepgrandson Chris Bryant of Buffalo, NY; stepgrandson Collin Bryant of Chandler, AZ; stepgrandson Justin Corneau of Denver, CO; stepgranddaughter Olivia Fontana (Blaine) of Houston, TX; stepgranddaughter Jennifer Clary (David) of Austin, TX; step-great-granddaughter Alexa Bryant of Chandler, AZ; step-great-grandson Cayden Bryant of Phoenix, AZ; step-great-granddaughter Kinsley Bryant of Phoenix, AZ; step-great-grandson, Simon Fontana of Houston, TX; sister Gail Darconte of Las Vegas, NV; brother David Gartenberg (Fernella) of Henderson, NV; niece Lisa Landrith (John) of Henderson, NV; niece Dr. Amy Burleson (Trae Nunnink) of Kansas City, MO; niece Carla Darconte of Las Vegas, NV; grandnephews Sam Burleson of Kansas City, MO, William Burleson of Kansas City, MO and Ben Burleson of Kansas City, MO; and other cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends, who were an important part of his life.

Joel was preceded in death by his father, Irving Gartenberg; his mother, Claire (Dubinsky) Gartenberg, wife of 15 years, Dorothy (Garrett) Gartenberg; and his stepgrandson, Christian Corneau.

Joel prioritized maintaining deep connections with friends and family. He enjoyed visiting relatives and friends as well as keeping in touch through frequent phone calls. He cherished relationships and always made everyone feel like family. He will be forever remembered and forever loved.