JAMES MARTIN

James Scott Martin Jan. 6, 1929 to Jan. 9, 2011 James Scott Martin was born in Narberth, Pennsylvania, to Frank Gartland Potter and Helen Dare Scott. His father died in 1931, and he was later adopted by Helen's second husband, George Martin. He was preceded in death by all of his siblings, losing Frank at 29, Peggy at 31 and Helen at 50. Jim graduated from Oak Park High School in Chicago and was a lifelong Cubs fan. At 15 he played on a team that competed in the national championship American Legion baseball tournament. Later he became a lead-off hitter and always gave pitchers a fit on the basepaths. A center fielder, he notched just one error in four years with the University of Montana Grizzlies and captained the team his senior year. At Montana he pledged Phi Delta Theta, met a blue-eyed Alpha Phi from Seattle named Anne Swanson, and knew instantly that he was going to marry her. They wed in 1951 and Jim graduated in 1952. After an Air Force hitch, he went to work for the J. Neils Lumber Co. A series of acquisitions made him an employee/retiree of St. Regis Paper Co., Champion International and eventually International Paper). His 30-year career selling lumber, plywood and doors took him from Libby, Montana to Minneapolis, Tampa, Tacoma, Maine and Jacksonville, Florida. During his older children's teenage years, he served as president of Tacoma Swim Club. He and Anne returned to the Northwest in 1985 and lived on Vashon Island for the next 25 years. After retiring in 1990 Jim returned to baseball, umpiring and coaching high school ball and devoting himself to youth baseball on Vashon. He and Anne (who died just five months ahead of him), enjoyed having all their grandchildren nearby and attending their games and performances. She and Jim loved their Vashon home, and Jim passed away peacefully there after seeing one last sunset. He was full of energy to the end, and his spirit will remain with the many people he touched in his life. Jim is survived by sons Scott Arthur Martin, DDS, Redmond and Gregory Frank Martin, Vashon; daughters Jamie Martin-Almy, Tacoma, Elizabeth Anne Martin, Seattle and Caroline Alice Matter, Vashon; grandchildren Michaela, Tyler, Benjamin, Megan, Meredith, Marisca, Cazimir, Bohdin, Kiryk; daughters-in-law Diane Nelson Martin and Amber Mozeleski; sons-in-law Jim Almy and Joe Matter and nephew Tom Templeton. Arrangements by Island Funeral Service. Community memorial service Sunday, Jan. 23, Vashon High School gym, 3 p.m.