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James Martin, 88

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James Arthur Martin, 88, died at home on Sunday, July 5 (2020). Visitation will be 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, July 8, at Roller-Christeson Funeral Home Chapel in Harrison. Funeral is 10:30 a.m., Thursday, July 9, at Roller-Christeson Funeral Home with Rev. Rocky Starnes officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in the Holmes Cemetery in Bellefonte. Memorials may be made to: Ozark Humane Society, 5147 Rock Springs Road, Harrison, AR 72601 or Hospice of the Hills, PO Box 1927, Harrison, AR 72602. 

He was born near Mt. Judea on Aug. 23, 1931. His parents are the late Arthur Arwine and Nettie (Bryant) Martin. He graduated from Western Grove High School where he was a member of the basketball team. He attended two years of college at Texas Tech. He married Evelyn Mae Breece on Nov. 29, 1952. He was a Korean War veteran, having served his country on active duty for two years and another 24 years with the Army Active Reserves based out of Harrison, reaching the rank of first sergeant.

James started working for Farm Bureau Insurance in 1959 and worked there until his retirement at the age of 84 in 2015, being the oldest and longest-serving agent in the state of Arkansas. He was a 45+ year member of the Kiwanis, as well as an Honorary Member of the FFA and 4H. His passions outside of work were his AQHA horses, having bred several champions, and genealogy.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, William Carl Martin and Jean David Martin; as well as his son-in-law, David H. Wise.

James is survived by his wife of 67 years, Evelyn Mae (Breece) Martin; and two daughters, Judith A. Newton, of Richmond, Texas and Kim Lea Wise, of Romance; a sister, Imogene Strain, of Western Grove; his brothers, Paul Gordon Martin, of Western Grove and Arlin Martin, of Rayville, Missouri; a half brother, James Nash, of Hollis, New Hampshire and two grandchildren.

Pallbearers are Mark Billings, Jerry Pledger, Bruce Reece, Jerry Clark, Matthew Wise and Jim Jennings.

Honorary pallbearers are Mike Parkinson, Paul Roten and Ryan Oswalt.



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