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Robert Martell Obituary
Jul 1, 1943 - Jan 14, 2026
Robert Donald "Don" Martell, 82, of Biltmore Lake, North Carolina, passed away Wednesday, January 14, 2026, surrounded by his family and friends.
Born July 1, 1943, in Orange, Texas, Don was the son of the late Joseph Robert Martell and Mary Emily Reily Martell. He earned his degree from Texas A&M University and remained a lifelong supporter of the university as a member of the Texas A&M University Alumni Association and the 12th Man Foundation.
In 1968, Don founded Marcal, a general contracting business in College Station that later expanded into real estate development. During a period of significant growth at Texas A&M University, he developed numerous apartment complexes supporting the increasing student population. In 1985, he was named an honorary member of the Texas Society of Architects, the Texas branch of the American Institute of Architects, in recognition of quality development.
Don was active in civic and business leadership in the Bryan/College Station community. He served as a director of the Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce, a director of the First National Bank of Bryan, and a member of the City of College Station Parks Commission.
In 1987, Don relocated to Asheville, North Carolina, where he continued his work in real estate development and community revitalization. He served on Asheville's Downtown Development Committee and contributed to the renewal of its downtown district.
Don was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend.
Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth Ann Littlejohn Martell; daughter, Rachael Martell Karns (Peter), and their sons, Henry and Christopher; son, Ryan Martell (Harmony), and their children, Corvus and Aurora Elizabeth; sister, Barbara Jean Hayes; and brothers, Charles Ronald Martell (Mary) and Joseph Randall Martell (Marilyn).
A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.
Groce Funeral Home is assisting the family. An online memorial is available at www.grocefuneralhome.com.
Groce Funeral Home
1401 Patton Ave., Asheville NC 28806
Memories and Condolences
for Robert Martell
Sponsored by Groce Funeral Home & Cremation Services - West Asheville.
6 Entries
Mary Ford DUPLantis
February 3, 2026
Classmates. In kindergarten Donnie and I were King & Queen for my Birthday party. I wish I could find the picture of us with our crowns and capes on.My heart felt condolences to his family and friends..
Sherrie Thompson Patke
January 28, 2026
Beth & family- my sincerest condolences and prayers for your comfort and peace. My first "big" job while attending A&M was with Metro Properties and later REMA - Don taught me so much about property management and ultimate professionalism. We shared the same birthday month and I will never forget his birthday celebrations. Flying on his planes, closings, and training trips! What a time! And don´t forget coconut pie-no property could be built or bought without first making sure good coconut pie was available in that city. Don gave me my first big bonus and first bottle of Dom Perignon
champagne. I think about him and the invaluable lessons often, and always when I train others. Saddened by the loss of a great mentor.
Sherrie Thompson Patke
JW and Anna Maria Wood
January 27, 2026
Beth, Ryan and Rachel please accept our deepest condolences. Our hearts are broken for your loss! we will cherish the memories of our long friendship. Beth, goodbyes are not forever, it simply means "I'll miss you until we meet again!" RIP Don
Bob Batson
January 23, 2026
I worked for Don & Jim several summers back in the late '60's when Marcal was just starting - in the $1.25 and hour days! It was hard work, but it paid for my college education - even though it was the wrong college!
They were building houses and small businesses back then. We finished building the Zyder Zee seafood restaurant early, so they got a big bonus and took the entire work crew to the Gulf for a chartered boat fishing trip! We had a great time. I also chuckle at the memory of adding a room in the attic of a house. One day I lost my balance, and my right leg went through the ceiling right over the kitchen table. I was afraid I would be fired but Don was thankful I wasn't hurt and didn't go all the way through the ceiling.
I enjoyed working for Don in those days. He always took time to explain how to do things and would draw it out on the clipboard! That was almost 60 years ago but I still remember him fondly.
Prayers for his family.
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Shirley Ann Kellett Winn
January 22, 2026
I worked for Don Martell for many years back in the 80´s when he was building apartment complexes all over College Station I remember him a as a good and fair employer and and a good community minded person
. My condolences and prayers to his family at this sad time .
Celia Goode-Haddock
January 19, 2026
I was fortunate to work with Don in my role with University Title Company. Don taught me so much about construction, development and real estate. It was a joy to work with him. I remember when he made his decision to move to Ashville. He was so excited to get started. He gifted me with my first ever massage therapy and I have been a devoted fan since then. Please know I am sending prayers for comfort for the entire family.
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