James J. Martin Jr.

James J. Martin Jr., of Harrison Township, passed away on October 6, 2025, at the age of 84. Jim was born in Detroit to Jim and Laverne Martin. Jim and Joan LeBlanc were married for 64 years and best friends for 72 years. Jim was the loving father of James J. Martin III (Susan Johnson-Velez) and Jennifer Ann Martin (Barry Kreger). He was the proud “Papa” of Elizabeth Martin-Strong (Terry Strong) and Jessica Martin (Chris Kling) and great-grandfather of Arlo Kling. He was predeceased by his brother Jerry Martin.

Jim’s family moved to St. Clair Shores when he was 10 years old. He had a strong work ethic and was a gifted student. He was very active in school, playing trombone in the band, along with being a football, basketball and track athlete, a member of the National Honor Society and Class President. He graduated from Lakeview High School as the Valedictorian of the Class of 1958. From modest beginnings and a full scholarship granted him from General Motors, Jim was able to graduate from Central Michigan University with honors. This earned him a full scholarship from the University of Michigan where he received his Master’s Degree. As the first college graduate in his extended family, Jim was the epitome of the American Dream.

In 1963, Jim returned to Lakeview as an English teacher. Lakeview was a place of young teachers who developed strong friendships as individuals and families. Upon beginning his teaching career, Jim’s interests from high school quickly blossomed into coaching football for his entire teaching career, coaching girls’ softball, being the scorekeeper for boys’ basketball and the PA announcer and timekeeper for hockey. He was also a Class Sponsor, National Honor Society Sponsor and the yearbook Advisor. In his career he was honored as the St. Clair Shores Man of the Year, and inducted into the Macomb County Coaches Hall of Fame and Michigan Coaches Hall of Fame. Jim retired from Lakeview in 1998 when he was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). Even at this he excelled by surviving for 28 years. His first two years of retirement saw him take on the new role of homemaker during the week, as Joan taught at Dakota High School. In 2001, Jim and Joan became “snowbirds” following their friends Barb and Chuck Mallek to Pelican Landing Condos on Manasota Key in Englewood, FL. There they made many more special friends each winter.

Jim was a man of faith. He was baptized and nurtured in his faith in Jesus by his parents at Bethany Christian Church in Detroit. He became a member at Lake Shore Presbyterian Church when he and Joan were married and was a dedicated and active member of the church. He lived and transitioned to the next chapter of his life comforted in his faith.

The family will receive visitors on Friday November 14, 2025, from 3pm until 8pm at Kaul Funeral Home, 28433 Jefferson Ave, St. Clair Shores, MI 48081.

A memorial service will be held at 11am Saturday November 15, 2025, at Lake Shore Presbyterian Church, 27801 Jefferson Ave, St. Clair Shores, MI 48081.

The family invites you to share a memory on his online guest book.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Lake Shore Presbyterian Church, www.lakeshorechurch.com/donate.