James Martin

Mr. James Martin, age 93, of Dahlonega passed away Monday, September 30, 2019.

Our devoted husband and father passed from this world early in the morning of September 30, 2019 to join his beloved wife of 70 years at the Trianon Dance Hall in Toledo where they met to start a brand new dance card with his favorite polka partner.  He was a retiree of DuPont where he worked for 43 years serving in refinish sales, training, and education.  He was proud to say that the checks were “still coming” from Dupont for the last 31 years, after he said ‘adios’!

Mr. Martin attended Bowling Green University of Ohio, “Ziggy Zaggy, Ziggy Zaggy, Oy Oy Oy!” and he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.  He and his wife Dorothy raised seven children living in Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Florida, and last but not least, Georgia.  Mr. Martin was a lover of stories and words and there was not a person who was a stranger to him.  He shared stories of summers in Tutor Key, Kentucky at his grandfather’s apple orchards and also of the many jobs he held from the time he was 13 starting with cleaning railroad engines and ending with training and education of people at DuPont.

Mr. Martin was an avid reader who loved a good book especially if it was about the Civil War.  He would let you borrow a book, but he kept close tabs on them.  Mr. Martin was a true servant volunteering for many positions at St. Luke’s Catholic Church and the Dahlonega community.  He always said “keep your sense of humor to get through life’s adversities" and "getting old is not for sissies”.     

Mr. Martin was born in Toledo, Ohio on May 18, 1926.  He was preceded in death by his parents Edna Van Hoose Martin Sparks and Clarence Martin.  His step-father was the great Ralph Sparks and was affectionately known as “Sparky”.   

Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law William and Janet Martin, Cleveland; son James V.H. Martin II, Dahlonega; daughters and sons-in-law Jacqueline and Alan McDonald, Charlotte, NC, Edna and David Guntert, Germantown, TN, and Barbara and Marc Shanberg, Tampa, FL; son Matthew Martin, Nashville, TN, daughter and son-in-law Suzan Martin and Dominic Cianciola, Tampa, FL, sister and brother-in-law Barbara and Michael Mahovlich, Dade City, FL; grandchildren Hannah Largacci, James III and Ashley Martin, Heather and Adam Stockstill, Brendan McDonald, Christopher and Megan Guntert, Alexandra Guntert, Elizabeth Shanberg and Patrick Van House, Andrew Shanberg, Savannah Martin, Scarlett Martin, Ava Cianciola, and Ryan Backmann; great-grandchildren Emma and Margaret Largacci, Thaddeus, Guy, and Anya Martin, and Austin and Blake Stockstill.

A funeral mass is scheduled for 11:00 AM Friday, October 4, 2019 at St. Luke’s the Evangelist Catholic Church.  Father Matthew Dalrymple and Father Edward Danneker will officiate.  Interment will follow in Dahlonega Memorial Park.  The family will receive friends from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM Thursday at the funeral home.  A Rosary will be held at 7:00 PM Thursday following visitation hours. 

The family wishes to express their appreciation to Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center for their support and help through Mr. Martin’s illness and passing.  They request that in lieu of flowers that contributions be made to Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center www.themedicalcenterfoundation.org/donate/donationform/.  

To share a memory of Mr. Martin or a condolence with the family visit andersonunderwood.com.

Anderson-Underwood Funeral Home of Dahlonega