JAMES R MARTIN

James Robert “Grandpa” Martin, 70 of Libby, MT died Friday, August 10, 2018 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center surrounded by family and loved ones.

James was born April 21 1948 in Newport, WA to Ralph and Winnifred (Harris) Martin.

Jim grew up in Spirit Lake, Idaho.  At about the age of 14, he moved to Enaville, Idaho where he lived with his uncle Emery Rex and worked moving houses. 

On April 8, 1967 he married Ina L. Rodreguez in Libby, MT where they raised three sons; Robert, Jeffery and Gerald Martin.  On May 8, 1968, “Grandpa” was inducted into the United States Army and served in Vietnam from May 18, 1969 to April 7, 1970.  After his service, he went to work for the St. Regis Paper, Co. in Libby, MT.  During his tenure there, he worked in the woods as well as the plywood plant.  In 1983, Grandpa started Martin Logging by purchasing his first logging truck, a 1959 Mack.  In 1988, he moved to Winnemucca, NV where he worked as a heavy equipment operator for several open pit gold mining companies.  As a heavy equipment operator, he loved drilling; blasting holes and core samples.  In 2004 Grandpa moved back to Libby where he worked for Martin Logging, which was now being operated by his eldest son, Robert.  Jim worked for 14 years in the occupation and the place he loved most, Libby, MT as a log truck driver. 

Grandpa is survived by his wife, Ina L. Martin as well as sons and daughters-in-law Robert and Stephanie of Libby, MT, Jeff and Kristan of Libby, MT, and Gerald and Cheryl of Reno, NV.  He is also survived by sisters and brothers-in-law Sharon and Bob Moore of Athol, ID, Janice and Daniel Eastman of Spirit Lake, ID, and sister Kathy Gillihan of Winnemucca, NV and sister-in-law Roxy Martin of Spirit Lake, ID as well as five grandchildren Brittany, Alysha, Kellyn, Ruby and Lucky Martin and one great grandchild “Perky” Parker Leir.

Jim is preceded in death by one daughter, Kim Louisa and two brothers Kevin and Larry Martin.

Services will be held at 37880 US Hwy 2, Libby, MT at 10:00 AM (Martin Logging), Saturday, August 18, 2018.

Schnackenberg Funeral Home performed final preparations and Tom Obleness will officiate the service.

Please visit James (Grandpa) R. Martin’s memorial and sign his online guest book at www.schnackenbergfh.com

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