James L. Martin

James L. Martin, 81, of Prairie Village, Kansas, passed away January 10, 2012. Memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 13, at Country Club Christian Church, 6101 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, Missouri 64113. Private graveside service in Corinth Cemetery, Prairie Village. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Country Club Christian Church or to The Children’s Place, 2 East 59th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64113. Jim was born June 11, 1930 in Kansas City, Missouri, son of James L. and Delna (Grieve) Martin. He graduated from SM Rural High School (now Shawnee Mission North) in 1948 and from the University of Kansas in 1952 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He entered the U.S. Air Force that year and served as a lieutenant in the Auditor General’s Office in Arizona for two years. Upon returning to the Kansas City area, he joined the public accounting firm Deloitte, Haskins & Sells. In 1958 he joined the Kansas City Office of Baird, Kurtz and Dobson (BKD, LLP), where he became the managing partner in 1974. During his professional career years, Jim served as the BKD representative to The American Group (TAG). He was a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Advisory Committee. He served as treasurer of the St. Paul’s Episcopal Day School Board of Trustees and as president of the University Club and was a member of the Rotary Club. He was also instrumental in the founding of the Polycystic Kidney Foundation, where he served as treasurer. Jim chaired the KU School of Business’ Accounting Accreditation Committee in 1997 and in April, 2010 he received the KU School of Business Distinguished Alumni Award. Upon his retirement in 1994, Jim served on the Board of Directors of Blish Mize in Atchison, KS and Metro Park Warehouses in Kansas City. He loved watching KU basketball and the Chiefs. Jim loved to travel and to play golf with his sons. One of his favorite trips was to the NCAA Final Four in San Antonio to watch KU win the National Championship in 2008. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers Stanley B. Martin and Marshall E. Martin. He is survived by his wife of 32 years Pat and sons Patrick and Christopher Martin. He is also survived by two children from a previous marriage, Tracey Martin and Dr. Tim Martin, daughter-in-law Dr. Janice Martin and granddaughters Melissa and Michelle Martin. Condolences may be offered to www.mtmoriah-freeman.com. Arrangements under the direction of Mount Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home, Kansas City, MO.