James Melvin Martin

James Melvin Martin was sent down from Heaven on March 19, 1936, to his mom Zillah June Lane and his dad William Felix Martin. They were living in San Francisco, California, at that time. At around the age of 5, Jim and his sister came down with scarlet fever and had to live at Stanford Medical Center for over a year. Luckily, they were test patients for penicillin and that saved both of their lives. Dad always told us that he didn't think that he would live beyond age 20. We are so happy that he made it to almost 89 years old. Later, his parents divorced and he and his mom and brother and sister moved to Montpelier, Idaho, to live with his grandparents. He and his mom and siblings eventually ended up in downtown Salt Lake City living in poverty. He started his first job when he was 8 years old to help support his family and worked very hard the remainder of his life to give his wife and kids the best life possible. 

He met the love of his life at the S&M roller skating rink in Granger, Utah. Willie, his wife, just happened to live across the street from that rink and went there often. They fell madly in love and were married July 13, 1960. They later had two daughters, Michelle and Lisa. Dad worked hard his whole life so that his family would never have to experience the poverty that he did as a child. He worked most of his life as a traveling sales rep for different companies, eventually working for Tony Lama Boot Company. He LOVED doing that for the rest of his career and was loved by all of his cowboy boot customers. He had a very exotic and extensive boot collection and our home always smelled like leather while we were growing up. 

He loved the outdoors and was either boating, swimming, skiing, or working in the yard. He also LOVED his cars and spent many hours washing them and making them shine. He was also the best handy man ever! He could fix anything and had every tool that you can imagine. He also loved music and was in the Symphonic Choir in his twenties, and played the guitar when he had the chance. 

He developed many great friendships throughout his life and once you were his friend he was loyal to the end. He loved people and he always treated them with respect and gave service to many of them. 

He loved his family and welcomed three grandsons and one granddaughter with open arms. Then came the great-grandkids who always made him smile, especially during his bout with dementia.

After returning to the Church of Jesus Christ in 2003, he took his sweetheart and kids to the Jordan River Temple where they were sealed for time and all eternity on September 17, 2004. What a glorious day that was! He was then a devoted follower of Jesus Christ and loved to help and serve others. He greeted everyone at church for many years, always with a smile. He was a loved neighbor and friend to many people throughout his life. He was a true example of love. 

He is survived by his sweetheart of 64 years, Willie, his children Michelle Earl (Jim Earl deceased) and Lisa Klunker (Bryan Klunker), four grandkids and four great-grandkids.

He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, and another daughter Carie (from a previous marriage). He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. 

We would like to give a special thanks to the amazing caregivers at the Peaks, who not only cared for him, but loved him too. Thank you Lisa, Marsha, Veronica, Yoli, Tucker, Ivan and Lippi and the others who were involved. 

A viewing will be held Tuesday, February 18, from 6:00-8:00 PM at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E Dimple Dell Road (10600 S) in Sandy. The funeral will take place Wednesday, February 19, at 12:00 PM at the Dimple Dell Park Ward, 9880 S 3100 E in Sandy, with a viewing prior from 11:00-11:45 AM at the same location.