James Martin Jr.

Family-Placed Death Notice

MARTIN, James, Jr. Our beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, colleague, mentor and friend James L. (Jim) Martin, Jr. has gone home after 65 years on this earth, and leaves a remarkable legacy behind. From early on, he demonstrated exemplary traits, serving as Vice President of his senior class at Bass High School, and voted "Most Dependable" by his peers. He put himself through the Industrial Management program at the Georgia Institute of Technology, and after earning his Bachelor's Degree, enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he was selected as the "Outstanding Trainee" of the 248 men in his training cycle at Ft. McClellan, AL. He married the love of his life, Christine Shaw, in 1967, and then served at Fort McPherson, GA in the office of the Deputy Chief of Staff of the 3rd U.S. Army Headquarters during the Vietnam War. He earned the rank of Spec. 7 in a remarkable 2 years. Upon his honorable discharge, and with a commendation medal for meritorious service, he began a 31-year career with Georgia Power Company, where he eventually rose to the position of Vice President of Economic Development. Prior to this while he was located in Gainesville, GA, he served in and was President of the Civitan Club, and was Civitan of the Year in 1977. He served as a member of the Gainesville Chamber of Commerce, as a deacon at Memorial Park Presbyterian Church, and was a bell-ringer for the Salvation Army. He moved his family to Rockdale County upon his transfer to Atlanta in 1980, where he worked his way to the eventual position of Vice President in 1988. As a leader in Economic Development for Georgia, his accomplishments were many. He was a key developer in the nation's first state-of-the-art multimedia site facility, The Georgia Resource Center, and a key player in the Olympic-rooted economic development program "Operation Legacy." Under his 12-year watch, he and Georgia Power Company assisted in creating more than 110,000 jobs and bringing more than $8.2 billion in capital investment to the state. Jim Martin completed the Advanced Management program at Emory University, and served on the boards of numerous state and national economic development organizations, including chairman positions with the Economic Development Committee of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Economic Developers Roundtable, and the Japan American Society of Georgia. He was former President, recipient of the Rip Wiley Award for Professional Excellence, and Honorary Life Member of the Georgia Economic Developers Association (GEDA), which is the largest state economic development organization in the world. He was Chairman of the 1991 Red Carpet Tour Committee, and served on the Board of Directors for the Business Council of Georgia, the Advisory Board for the Georgia Tech Basic Economic Development Course and the Board of Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education. During 1990-1991, he served on the Education Excellence Panel and the Finance Task Force for "The Partnership." He also served on the Steering Committees for the 1991 Governor's Conference on Education and the 1992 Governor's Conference on Economic Development. In 1991, he was named one of Georgia's 100 Most Influential businessmen and women by Georgia Trend Magazine, and multiple years he was honored by Site Selection Magazine as a "Top 10." He was a founding member of the ECONOMOS Board of Governors, a member of the World Trade Club and served on the Board of Governors for the 191 Club. He was 3 times given the title "Lt. Colonel, Aide De Camp, Governor's Staff" by former Governors Lester Maddox, Joe Frank Harris, and Zell Miller. Upon his retirement in February 2000, the Georgia Power Board of Directors passed a resolution honoring Martin for his efforts to guide Georgia through "unprecedented growth and prosperity." This resolution was mirrored and adopted by the Governor and the Georgia General Assembly. Though there may be no plaques to commemorate it, he was as powerfully influential in the lives of his family, friends, and all who knew him. His sense of honor, sense of humor, humility, and great kindness leave indelible marks on a countless number of people whose lives he touched. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Erin Nicole Iverson, and parents Lucia and Lamar Martin. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Chris Martin, Conyers; daughters and sons Lisa and Brent Iverson, Conyers, Lindsey and Larry Preiss, Conyers; grandchildren, Devon Silvey, Ally Silvey, Erich Iverson, Laney Iverson, Grant Preiss; sister and brother-in-law Mary Claire and Ted Wilson, Jackson, AL; brothers and sister-in-law Milton L. Martin, Mableton, Ed and Alice Martin, Stockbridge; mother-in-law Mary W. Shaw, Conyers; several nieces and nephews; and lifetime friends Pat and Stan Hathcock, Canton. Special thanks to nephew Gene Jones and cousin Barry Williams for countless hours of assistance and support in the days and weeks preceding Jim's passing. Memorial service will be held Tuesday, June 22, 2010 at 4 p.m. at Epworth United Methodist Church, 1561 McLendon Avenue, NE, Atlanta, with a reception after the service at the church fellowship hall. Contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 1925 Century Boulevard, NE, Suite 10, Atlanta, GA 30345, or at ALZ.ORG. Condolences may be submitted on-line at www.scotward.com. Scot Ward Funeral Services - Harry White Chapel, 1299 Milstead Ave., Conyers, GA 30012, 770-483-7216. JAMES L. (JIM) MARTIN, JR.