James August Martin

Born on January 27, 1944, in the heart of San Francisco, Jim grew up in North Beach and was the only son of Nellie Olga Arana Dewitt, a single mom who retired from FW Woolworth and followed Jim and his family to the Sacramento area in 1988. She preceded him to heaven in February, 2016.

Jim lived a life marked by determination, integrity, and a strong sense of dedication to family and country. A proud American Veteran, Jim served honorably in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, an experience that shaped his deep respect for discipline and service.

After he returned home, he met and married the love of his life, Charlotte “Cheri” Fayette Martin, and together they built a strong and loving home full of warmth and many festive gatherings.

Together with Cheri, Jim raised his two children, Cerrina Lorraine (Martin) Jensen and Chad Adrian Martin, with love and discipline, instilling in them his values of hard work, honesty, humor, and love of all things fast.

Jim was mentored professionally by old school Italians, and his entrepreneurial spirit led him to own and operate a successful contracting business, where he earned a reputation of excellence prior to retiring in 2000.

In his spare time, Jim found joy in working on and racing hotrods, hunting, boating, and camping - interests that brought him inner peace and connection with nature. He will be remembered for his subtle charm, sharp wit, generosity, loyalty, and quiet strength.

In addition to his adoring children, and their respective spouses Aaron Jensen and Jen Krshul, Jim leaves behind his two loving sisters, Shirley and Pamela, his only grandson, Markus Aaron Estelle, and two granddaughters, Kayla Michelle Pinedo and Savannah Cheri Martin, as well as bonus grandkids Ciana Jensen, and Ashley and Jake Krshul. Additionally, Jim was a great grandpa to Asher (Savannah), Mason (Ciana), and Andrew (Markus), along with his descendants yet to be born, and was deeply loved by his many in-laws and nieces and nephews.

A celebratory service honoring Jim’s life will be held on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at Mount Vernon Memorial Park, 8201 Greenback Lane, Fair Oaks, CA 95628, officiated by Pastor Dan Wade of River City Christian.

A Visitation will begin at 11:30am, followed by a Memorial Service with Full Military Honors, and an onsite lunch afterward. We ask that you please RSVP for the purpose of proper planning by contacting Cerrina or Chad, or by using this link: pp.events/jim_martin_memorial_service

For those unable to attend in person, Jim's service will be live streamed by Mount Vernon