James W. Martin, age 83 of Blair, died peacefully at the Josie Harper Hospice House surrounded by his wife and daughters on Feb. 1, 2024, after struggling for 13 years with a stroke.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church in Blair, Neb. Visitation will be held at the church beginning at 8 a.m. Burial will be held Tuesday, Feb. 6 at 9 a.m. at Resurrection Catholic Church in Omaha, Neb., with military honors.
Jim is survived by his wife of 55 years, Kay Martin; four daughters: Terri (Steve) Ganch, Steamboat Springs, Colo., Beth (Trey) Knott, Nancy (Jeff) Line, and Pam (Nick) Moran all of Omaha; five grandchildren: Peirce and Gabe Knott, Jonathan and Erin Line and CeCe Moran; brother Donald A. (Rosemary) Martin; sister Carol Ann Berger; sister-in-law Loraine Martin; as well as many nieces, nephews, family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Mary Martin; brothers: K.C. Martin and Robert L. Martin; and beloved grandson Jimmy Moran.
Jim attended St. Rose grade school in Omaha, Creighton Prep High School, and Omaha U (now UNO), receiving a Bachelor of Science in business. He served in the Army Reserves for six years and first started working for his father, who had a sheep commission business, with Berrigan Brothers in the Omaha Stockyards. Jim then went to work for the Ralston Purina Company in Omaha as a district salesman before becoming the head of the order department. In 1968, Jim started a feed business, WashCo Feed and Supply, along with 10 other businessmen and stockholders in Blair. Five years later, he purchased the business from the 10 stockholders and became the sole owner-manager for almost 25 years. At age 55, Jim sold his feed business and then went to work as a driver and guide for Arrow Stage Lines, taking tours across a great part of America for approximately 10 years. His final working years were as a part-time school bus driver for the Blair Community Schools until he suffered a stroke and was forced to retire.
Jim never tired of starting anything new. He loved boating on the Missouri River with family, customers, and friends for almost 30 years. His favorite time of the year was watching his favorite team, Notre Dame, play football in the fall; personally attending several games, even one in Dublin, Ireland when they played Navy in 1996. Jim loved reading and had quite a collection of books, especially about World War II and the Civil War. For many years, he took his family skiing regularly, along with at least one or two stag ski trips. He loved traveling and was always interested in learning the history of a state or country, whether in America or Europe.
When he was 71, Jim suffered an ischemic stroke along with a hemorrhagic stroke. This severely limited his physical ability. He never complained though, and always looked forward to becoming well again. Jim loved visiting with his caregivers, therapists, friends, and family. He was pretty modest about it, but his life was a success.
Memorials may be directed to The Cure Starts Now Foundation: Nebraska Chapter (Jimmy the Great) https://p2p.thecurestartsnow.org/2424 Or to Creighton Prep High School.
Services provided by Campbell Aman Funeral Home, 444 S. 17th Street, Blair, NE, www.campbellaman.com.
