James William Martin, Jr.

James William Martin, Jr. was born May 1, 1929, in Des Moines, Iowa to DeLona Mann Martin and James W. Martin, Sr. He died on April 17, 2022 at the age of 92.

James attended Des Moines Public Schools and graduated from Dowling Catholic High School.

He served a brief stint in the U.S. Coast Guard.

James married Margaret Steele and the couple had three daughters: Roxanne, Lana, and Deidre.

James’ career included work at the American Woodmen Insurance Company in Denver, Colorado, the Iowa Packing House, and he retired from Northwestern Bell after 32 years of service.

In his spare time, James enjoyed all sports. He was a big Iowa Hawkeyes fan. He also enjoyed tending to his aquarium, listening to jazz, gardening, spending time with the family, keeping up with the Young and the Restless, and occasional trips to Prairie Meadows. He was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, the John Grubb Community YMCA Association, and the Knights of Peter Claver. He was also treasurer of the Crocker YMCA Association.

After his retirement, he and Margaret liked to travel, particularly if family was involved. One year, they attended the National Black Catholic Congress Conference in Baltimore, MD., Another year, they attended a Juneteenth Celebration in historic Galveston, Texas. They traveled to Puerto Rico to attend a U.S. Navy event with a grandson. They also took trips to Omaha for a few Knights of Peter Claver events. After Margaret’s passing, Jim visited Texas for a couple of his grandsons’ weddings, and North Carolina to spend time with Deidre and her family.

He was also a regular participant in the monthly gatherings of the “Friday Breakfast Club” of former Packing House employees, until the group dwindled due to aging and declining health of members.

He was also a big supporter of charities, including Running Strong for American Indian Youth, Smile Train, and St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

James was preceded in death by his parents, James W. and DeLona Martin, his wife, Margaret Martin, a brother, Donald Austin, and five sisters: Betty Martin Gaar, DeLona Hackney, Faye Taylor, Mary Thompson and LaVaughn Watkins.

He is survived by his three daughters: Roxanne (Kelly) Evans of Austin, Texas; Lana Fowler-Forbush of Des Moines; and Deidre Martin (Edward Williams) of Youngsville, NC.
James is also survived by eight grandchildren: James (Silvia) Evans of Pensacola, FL; Imani Evans and Askia Evans, of Austin, Texas; Joshua (Tanya) Evans of Dallas, Texas; Marlon (Mikaela) Fowler of Ankeny, Taurean (Michaelia) Forbush of Des Moines, Avery Hill of Greensboro, NC and Maura Hill of Youngsville, NC., brother-in-law Vernice Gaar Jr. of Las Vegas, NV., 12 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

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