Jim Martin

James R. "Jim" Martin, 76, of Jackson passed away Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Sept. 7, 1940, in Cape Girardeau to Richard C. and Addie L. Atkins Martin. He and Elisabeth "Babs" Martin were married Jan. 18, 1964, at First Baptist Church in Jackson.

Jim was a 1958 graduate of Jackson High School. He was an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Air Force, serving from Oct. 5, 1959, to June 7, 1963.

During his military service, Jim served in Germany, where he met Babs in a pizza parlor, and played football for the Air Force.

Jim was a sales representative for Moon Distributing and worked many years as an operator at the power plant in Jackson, retiring in 2009.

He was a lifelong member of Emanuel United Church of Christ in Jackson, where he was an usher, previously had served on the church council and was active in the men's fellowship activities. He was also a member of Altenthal-Joerns American Legion Post 158 in Jackson, a member and past president of the former German Club of Southeast Missouri and a former member of the Elks in Jackson.

Jim cherished time with his family and always put them above everything else.

He enjoyed the simple things in life, such as mowing his yard, gardening, experiencing nature from his backyard swing and spending time with neighbors and friends.

Loving survivors include his wife of nearly 53 years, Babs Martin of Jackson; three children, Tim (Lori) Martin and children, Scott and Brian, of Jackson, Todd (Rachale) Martin and children, Kody Kingree, Cheyenne Kessler and Grayson Martin of Jackson, and Nicole Martin of Manchester, Missouri; two siblings, Ann (the late Leabert) Fields of Jackson and June Baugh Black of Jackson; and a brother-in-law, Glenn (the late Mary) Zeller of Jackson.

Also surviving are nieces and nephews, Christina (Laird) Abbott, Clyde (Cheryl) Baugh, Stephen (Theresa) Baugh, Jenny Zeller, Debbie (Jerry) McCullough, Gregg (Tara) Zeller and Sabine (Stefan) Haus; niece-in-law, Carol (the late Bobby) Baugh; and many great-nieces, great-nephews, friends and neighbors.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Mary Zeller; Babs' parents, Valentin and Erna Assmus; four brothers-in-law, Leabert Fields, Bob Baugh, Robert Black and Peter Assmus; two nieces, Patty Baugh and Ulrike Assmus; and a nephew, Bobby Baugh.

Visitation is from 4 to 8 p.m. today at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson. There will be an American Legion Honor Guard service at 7 p.m.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Revs. Joe Rowley and Sam Roethemeyer officiating. Burial will follow at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson, with full military honors.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to Emanuel United Church of Christ in Jackson.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting mccombsfuneralhome.com.