It is with extreme sadness that we announce the passing of Martin Jay Cohen. After a two year illness, and with family at his bedside, he peacefully passed away on May 25, 2022 in his hometown of Heath, Texas at age 86. He displayed a positive fighting spirit until the end. 

Marty was born in Brooklyn, NY to Charles and Lucille Cohen on January 8, 1936. He attended Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn and graduated in 1953. He then attended Union College in Schenectady, NY, where he graduated in 1957, with a Bachelor of Arts degree. While attending Union College, Marty excelled in swimming and earned a four year letter in his sport. This was the start of an exercise program that he faithfully continued and enjoyed until age 84. 

After college, he joined the US Air Force as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 301st Air Refueling Squadron (SAC) where he was a Navigator on the KC-97. He flew numerous missions in and out of Goose Bay Labrador. His Air Force Service was from 1957-1960.

In 1960, he moved to Dallas and began a lifelong career in the investment business, joining Eppler, Guerin and Turner, a Dallas based New York Stock Exchange member. He was certified as a Financial Planner (CFP) by the College of Financial Planning in 1977. In 1978, Marty founded Balanced Financial Corporation , a financial planning firm, with his partner Kent Bicknell. He served as President of the firm until it sold in 2016. He was actively involved in the Financial Planning Industry and was instrumental in the formation of the Dallas chapter of the International Associtaion of Financial Planning (IAFP) and served as program chairman and president.  He was appointed to serve a two year term on the National Board. After his term on the board, he founded the Dallas-Fort Worth Chapterof Financial Planners and served as their first president. 

Aside from Marty's professional career, he was involved in several other community endeavors. Some of these include the following: Dallas Toastmasters, Dallas Downtown Civitan Club, Dallas 500, Inc., Dallas Council on World Affairs, Board of Real Estate Adjustments for the City of Heath and was instrumental in starting a Gifted and Talented Program for Rockwall ISD. 

The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Marty. He loved the arts. Attending the Dallas and Plano Symphonies and listening to good Jazz at Sammons Jazz was among his favorites. He was a self-taught musician and playing piano wa shis passion. He also loved to dance and was most graceful and comfortbale on the dance floor. 

While livng in Dallas, he met his wife, Ruth, and they married in 1971. In 1972, they moved to the Rockwall area and had two beautiful children, Vandi and Marni. They have resided in Heath since then. Recently, Marty and Ruth celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary. 

Marty is survived by his wife, Ruth; daughters, Vandi Palmer of Rockwall, TX and Marni Sensoy and husband, Clark Sensoy of Urbana, MD; four grandchildren: Alexa Palmer, Drew Palmer, Ayla Sensoy and Ellie Sensoy; sister, Barbara Mulgrum of New Jersey, his nephew Craig Mulgrum an dwife, Karen of New Jersey and nephew, Marc Mulgrum an dwife, Monica of New York. 

Marty will be fondly remembered by family and friends as a loving husband, father, grandfather and all around gentle, kind man. May you rest in Peace. We love you from the bottom of our hearts. 

His resting place will be Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery at 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, Texas.