James Martin

Martin, James 1/24/1943 - 11/17/2017 Kalamazoo Age 74, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 17, 2017 at Rose Arbor Hospice with his family by his side. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio on January 24, 1943, the son of the late Charles and Hilda Martin. A 1961 graduate of Coloma High School, James spent much of his life in southwest Michigan working in sales in the packaging industry and later in Tucson, Arizona as a blind rehabilitation and mobility specialist for the VA Hospital before retiring and moving back to Kalamazoo. James loved spending time with family, fishing, camping, reading novels, writing poetry and telling stories. He had a special fondness for the poetry of Robert Frost, the music of John Denver and good food, either manning his grill for family or tucking into a platter of fried chicken at the Essenhaus restaurant. Throughout his life, James's love of Jesus Christ was manifest in his service to church and his kind and gentle nature until being called home by his Lord. 2 Timothy 4:6-8. He is survived by his wife, April Shinholster-Martin; his children, Michael (Pamela) Martin, Douglas (Tamera) Martin, and Julia (Jake) Martin-Zoutendyk; four grandchildren, Cassandra and Collin Zoutendyk, and Madelaine and Nathaniel Martin; two sisters, Lois Keubler and Diane Pierce; extended family. He was also preceded in passing by a brother, Charles Martin. In accordance with his wishes, cremation will take place and a celebration of his life will be held on Tuesday, November 21, 2017, beginning at 11:00AM, at First United Methodist Church, 212 S. Park Street W, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, with Pastor Steve Charnley officiating. A visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to the service from 10:00 to 11:00AM. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Care of SW Michigan or The Blind Veterans Association, c/o the funeral home. Family and friends may share a condolence message online at www.joldersma-klein.com.