James Harrison Martin

James Harrison Martin, 90 years old of Malvern, Arkansas passed away on October 25, 2019 in Houston, Texas. Jim was born on July 16, 1929 in Clarksville, Arkansas to Nancy Jane Jarman Martin and Jud Harrison Martin.

After graduating high school, he pursued a career as a professional baseball player in AA/AAA baseball for the Houma Indians and the Shreveport Sports Texas League holding positions of catcher, hitter and baserunner.

In January 1953, Jim married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life Virginia “Jennie” Lou Williams in Malvern and traveled to Galveston for their honeymoon at the historic Galvez Hotel. They were married for 49 wonderful years.

Jim earned a degree in engineering from the University of Arkansas. In the late 50’s, Jim worked as a mud engineer for Magabar Oilfield Company in Houma. In 1966, he transferred to Pennzoil in Houston and retired from Milchem after 18 years. Jim was a proud veteran having served in the U.S. Army during the Korean war.

Jim is preceded in death by his wife, Jennie Martin, mother and father, Janie and Jud, brothers and sisters, Tommy, Doyle, Inez, Hester and grandchild Kaelynn Hunger.

Jim is survived by his daughter Beverly Donaho and husband Bob; daughter Leah Dustin and husband Mike, and his beloved grandchildren, Robert Joseph Hunger, Hugh Harrison Hunger, Madeline Ruth Winter and Scott Allen Winter, Jr.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Bob Donaho, Allen Winter, Patrick Donaho, Mike Ferris and Brett Goodrich.

Donations may be made to PatriotPaws.org which provides service dogs to veterans.

The family of James Martin wishes to extend their sincere thanks to the many doctors, nurses and caregivers at the Michael DeBakey Veterans Hospital for their wonderful and compassionate care of Jim over the years.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.memorialoaksfunerals.com for the Martin family.