James Henry “Jack” Martin

Jack was born January 4, 1936, in Campaign, TN to Charles Spurgeon Martin and Mattie Belle Watson Martin. He attended High School at McMinnville Central High School in McMinnville, TN. He continued his education at Northwest Mississippi Junior College in Senatobia, MS on a football scholarship. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in 1967 at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. After receiving his BS, he attended Middle Tennessee State University earning a master’s degree in education.

Jack enjoyed all sports growing up, especially baseball and football. He was the quarterback for his high school team where he met the love of his life, and future wife, a cheerleader named Catherine (Sue) Paris. After graduating from MTSU, Jack and Sue moved to Jackson, TN to become Jackson State Community College’s head baseball coach and golf coach. During his years as a graduate assistant in baseball at MTSU and under the leadership of Jimmy Earle, the Blue Raiders won the school’s first OVC baseball championship in 1968. Being associated with the program opened the door for Martin at Jackson State, where in his first year as head baseball coach, his team was runner-up in the TJCAA. That same year, his colleagues elected him Coach of the Year.

Jack Martin spent over twenty-five years at Jackson State Community College as baseball coach and athletic director. During his nine years of coaching, he compiled a record of 201-89. He also coached twenty future All-Western Division and All-Conference baseball players on his teams, including one All-American and seven others who went on to sign professional contracts. During his tenure as athletic director, Jackson State qualified several teams for state and regional tournaments in baseball and men’s and women’s basketball. Martin served on many committees through the years in the TJCAA, including the executive committee and as chairperson of the baseball committee. Jack Martin’s distinguished career at Jackson State Community College will be remembered for the great success he brought to the school’s athletic program. Jackson State honored him by naming the baseball field after him, Jack Martin field. He was inducted into the Warren County Sports Hall of Fame, Madison County Sports Hall of Fame and into the TJSSA Junior College Association Sports Hall of Fame and honored in the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.

He was a man of integrity, honesty, and a man of his word. He led by example and was a positive influence on so many lives. He was a believer and knew Jesus as his Lord and savior . He studied the Bible and loved the book of Proverbs. They were members of West Jackson Baptist Church and loved their Sunday school class.

Aside from coaching, Jack was an avid golfer and enjoyed teaching his grandchildren to play the sport. He trained his grandchildren and great grandchildren to become excellent baseball players as well. He came from a family gifted in music and he enjoyed playing the guitar and singing country and gospel music with friends and family. We all have many wonderful memories of spending time in their cabin at the Tennessee River, boating and fishing and having delicious fish fry’s.

Jack is preceded in death by his father, mother, and Ten siblings.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Catherine (Sue) Paris Martin. His children David and (Elaine) Martin, McMinnville TN and Kathy and (Charlie) Mueller, Jackson TN. His grandchildren David Martin Jr. and (Tenera) Martin, Matthew Martin, John Martin, Cory and (Haley) Mueller, Mary Katherine and (Nate) Busuito, and Maggie Belle Mueller, His great grandchildren Ty Martin, Luke Martin, Jax King, Caroline Martin, and Blakely Mae Martin.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like memorial donations to be made to Alzheimer’s Tennessee, Inc. 5801 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. (alztennessee.org). The family of Jack and Sue Martin wish to extend our sincere thanks to the nurses and staff at Brookdale Memory Care, Jackson, TN and Avalon-Hospice, Jackson, TN and care-givers Bridgett C. Hill and Beverly Henning.

The family will have visitation on Thursday, May 19, 2022, at George A. Smith and Sons Funeral Home North Chapel Jackson, TN 38305 from 4:00PM till 6:00PM. The Funeral service will be held at Highs Funeral Home, 101 College St, McMinnville, TN 37110 on Saturday, May 21, 2022, at 1:00PM. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at 12:00PM.

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