James Ira Martin, 91, of Eldridge, died Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020, in his home near Eldridge.
He was born May 15, 1929, in the family home in Fort Lupton, Colo. to Arthur Oral and Angie Eunice Luttrell Martin.
James was united in marriage to Mary Elizabeth Harvey, and to this union one daughter and three sons were born. Mary died several years ago. On May 1, 1994, he married Shirley Holcomb-Blandford, and they shared the last 26 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Mary; a son, Larry Martin; three brothers, John Martin, Mervin Martin, and Leonard Martin; and four sisters, Joyce Cook, Euelen Shea, Fern Martin, and an infant twin sister.
He was born and raised in Fort Lupton, Colo. and received his education there. Throughout the years, he worked as a farmer, dairy farmer for Gates Rubber Company, as an auto and diesel mechanic, as a school bus owner and driver, a bee keeper, did excavation and construction work, was a developer, and owned and operated a trucking business. The family lived in Fort Lupton for many years, and once he and Mary retired, they moved to the Lebanon area and purchased a farm near Eldridge.
James made his profession of faith early in his life and was a member of First Baptist Church in Fort Lupton, Colo. After moving to Lebanon, he became a member of First Baptist Church of Lebanon.
Survivors include his wife Shirley of the home; a daughter, Myra Yost and husband Steve of West Plains; two sons, Alan Martin of Eldridge; and Brent Martin and his wife Stacy of Fort Lupton, Colo.; a stepdaughter, Lora Rumpf and husband Gus of Texas; a stepson, Jeff Blandford of Colorado; nine grandchildren, Megan, Becky, Jamie, Michael, and his wife Jess, Cody, Justin, Hannah, Amber and Mason; a great-grandson, James Ira Yost; five step-grandchildren, Jenny, Susan, Amanda, Lynn, and Marley; seven step-great-grandchildren, Dani, Denise, Dominic, Andrea, Cole, Alex, and Houston; a half-brother, Roy Gene Martin and his wife Hazel of Columbia, Tenn.; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for James Ira Martin will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, at the Holman-Howe Funeral Home in Lebanon with the Rev. John Angst officiating. A Masonic service and visitation will follow the funeral service in the funeral home. Burial will be in the Hillside Cemetery in Fort Lupton, Colo. For more formation or to visit the website go to www.holmanhowe.com.
