James Benedict Martin Jr

James B. Martin, Jr., husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend sadly passed away February 28, 2018.   Jim was born in Berwyn, IL to James and Rita Martin. The oldest of six siblings, he moved with the family from Illinois, to Ohio, to New Jersey, to Southern California and ultimately to Northern California.  

Jim attended college at Akron University and followed up with Cal Berkeley after he was drafted into the US Army in 1968 to 1970 in the Military Police.  He is a Veteran of the Vietnam War having served and protected his country with courage, pride and honor. His faith in god never left him.

Returning to California to be with family, he settled in Concord, California.  As he was working his way as a General Manager at the Pizza Machine in Concord, he met the love of his life and soulmate, Roxanne Klock. They married September 29, 1979.  While learning, growing, loving and adventuring together they had 3 sons.

In 1995, Jim and Roxanne moved to Boise, Idaho to raise their son’s, and begin new adventures together.   Jim opened and owned Automedic, his business of 22 years before retiring. He was proud of his reputation as an honest, hardworking and meticulous business owner.  

Above all else, Jim loved family. He respected and enjoyed the gifts of each member.

Food, family and friends go together for Jim. Together with Roxanne’s culinary expertise, they frequently shared the festivities with everyone graced to know them.  Of course, there was the cooking of the Thanksgiving turkey (loving) competition between brothers, with each year becoming more amazing than the next. Jim also loved golf from golf cart shenanigans with his brothers on the golf course or sharing the ups and downs of the Pro’s on TV.  His other love for camping became a family time for great adventures, story sharing, laughter and oh, yes, great food.

Among the many things that Jim shared a passion for, his love and appreciation for music was something that never left him over the years. In addition to what brought Jim and Roxanne closer together, music was always something that they both equally appreciated and understood. Overtime, Jim did his best to instill the same appreciation and understanding with his three sons. Family, integrity, good music and great food were always a large staple in Jim's life and he happily lived to follow through with them up until his passing.

Jim struggled for years with health problems, the last 3 the most precious as they were truly gifts from God.  The whole family loved and listened to the advice, guidance and encouragement from this gentleman, with his hearty laugh, ability to love big and live fully.  He was gifted time with his beautiful granddaughter Jamison who became the sparkle in his eyes.

Jim is survived by his wife, Roxanne, blessed with a soulmate who had no limits of eternal love, son’s Matthew and his lovely fiancé' Jamie Marker, Brett, and Garrett, and granddaughter, Jamison, his siblings, Mary Jean, Weeb, Karen, Kenny and Kevin among many loved cousins, nieces and nephews.  Jim is preceded in death by his parents, James and Rita.

Jim’s family would like to extend thanks to the excellent care from the VA Hospital and Davida Dialysis and most especially St. Luke’s downtown for the loving, professional care he received in his final moments.

A Celebration of Life for Jim will be celebrated privately by his family.