John James Martin

by Shon John (spouse)

"Let me tell you a story," was one of John's favorite things to do, so let me tell you a story of John James Martin. He was born on January 31, 1967 into the Martin family. Martin, is a family name which stands for honor, trust, respect, and family comes first. Those are the values that we both recognize and appreciate with each other, especially family comes first. So I might be a Martin after all.

I met John on September 25, 1998 and he approached me to make sure I understood that he was available. Being a socially shy individual, I was impressed with his effort. Three days later he moved in and I was happy that he was home. I asked about his brave approach of moving in and he said, "I know that you are the person I can trust my love to." We traveled the world by single-engine plane, hot air balloon, underwater, sky diving, and sea/land cruises, and lived in several places at the beach, lake, town, and country side but our wonderful home is always where each other is at.

I have the credentials to counsel couples, but John has the natural doctoral abilities to teach me how to love."Love," is how we referred to each other. He was ever ready to remind me and all his loved ones that he loved us and he would do anything to make us happy, even waiting on hand and rubbing my feet daily. He even learned to say "Ih mwaukin uhk," I love you in Pohnpean. John learned how to love from home. Dad, a man of few words, his poem for mom, "I dropped a tear drop in the ocean today and when someone finds it, it is the day I will stop loving you." Being his fathers' son he tried tirelessly to site a better poem. He loved playing tricks to stay ahead with the "I love you more." He learned it well from his mother. Mom plays a trick on her three children; Anna, John, and I where she would trick us individually by telling us that you are her number one child, which only motivates us to outrank each other by doing her more favors. It is too bad John and Anna, I am still the number one child. We were fortunate to find each other and share such love.

John worked for General Electric for 24 years. His work is something he took pride in and he would say, "you work hard and it will take care of you." I sometimes would wonder if he would ever be retired. He took a lot of joy and enthusiasm in outdoing his last project. Although he down played it, he enjoyed it more and received a sense of pride especially having the respect of his co-workers and supervisor.

John had countless ways of showing his happiness. He called at least five times a day to account for his happiness. He ate and he would smile. He looked at you and he smiled. He went to the store and he smiled. He rubbed my foot and he smiled. He laughed before he told you one of his crazy jokes. I had a live-in comedian. He defined it as "on top of the mountain," and we had many experiences on top of that mountain. "Love I will see you on top of your mountain."