Deacon James "Jim" David Martin

James David Martin, 72, went home to be with the Lord on June 28, 2026. He was born on February 20, 1954, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to Earma Jean Thompson. When James was a young child, his mother married Eddie L. Phillips, who lovingly raised him as his own son and remained a devoted father throughout his life.

James graduated from Northrop High School in 1972 and earned a degree in Manufacturing Technology from Purdue University–Fort Wayne in 1977. On July 17, 1976, he married Henrietta Ransom, and together they began building a life and family.

In 1978, James and his family relocated to Grand Prairie, Texas, where he worked in Quality Assurance at Vought/LTV Aerospace for more than a decade. After the company's restructuring in the early 1990s, he held a variety of jobs, including airline baggage handler, janitor, and parking lot attendant. Through it all, James believed in the dignity of honest work and never hesitated to help others.

A man of deep faith, James was a devoted member of Mount Olive Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, sang in the male chorus, and participated in the sick and shut-in and prison ministries.

Known to many as "Uncle Jimmy," James made everyone feel like family. He was a father-like figure to many young people and was known for his generous spirit. Material possessions meant little to him, and even when he had very little, loved ones could count on receiving one of his handwritten notes—instantly recognizable by his distinctive penmanship—with a copy of the Daily Bread and a single one-dollar bill tucked inside simply to say, "You were on my mind." Those simple notes remain treasured reminders of his kindness and love for others.

James enjoyed playing basketball, the saxophone, photography, and working on cars.

He was the proud father of Angela Lang (Martin) and John Calen Martin, beloved father-in-law to Michael Lang, and loving grandfather to Maxwell Lang and Rosie Dela Torre.

James's life was defined by faith, perseverance, humility, generosity, and service. He measured wealth not by what he possessed, but by what he was able to give. His legacy lives on through his family and the countless lives he touched as "Uncle Jimmy." He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

James was preceded in death by his parents, Earma Jean and Eddie L. Phillips.

He is survived by his daughter, Angela Lang and her husband, Michael Lang; his son, John Martin; his beloved wife of his youth, Henrietta Ransom Martin; his grandchildren, Maxwell Lang and Rosie Dela Torre and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters in law.