James "Jim" Weldon Martin

Visitation for James "Jim" Weldon Martin will be Thursday, December 22 from 5:00 " 7:00 P.M. at Croley Funeral Home in Gilmer with a Private Family Burial to be held. James "Jim" Weldon Martin of Longview, was born January 1, 1936, in Gilmer, Texas to Weldon and Ophelia Martin and he passed away Tuesday, December 20, 2011 in Longview, Texas. After graduation from Longview High School in 1953, Jim enlisted in the U. S., Air Force and spent the next 26 years serving his country. Jim had assignments mainly in Germany where he met and married the love of his life, Helga, on May 26, 1962. Together they were blessed with a son, Tom and a wonderful life of 49 years. Following retirement from the USAF, Jim and Helga came back to make Longview their home. Jim eventually began another career with 18 years of service with Alcatel. Following his second retirement, Jim became very active in the American Legion and VFW organizations, serving as President of the Fraternal of the Eagles Association in Longview. Jim was what you call a "gentle giant"! While large in statue, he was one of the kindest, soft spoken, and most loving individual, one could ever hope to meet. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Weldon Martin and a niece, Erin Mulkey. Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Helga of Longview, son, Tom of Norman, Oklahoma; In addition, Jim was a loving "Opa" to Blair (Todd) Link of Bartlesville, Oklahoma and Jay (Nickie) Phillips of Norman, Oklahoma and "Great Opa" to Addison and Parker of Bartlesville. In addition, Jim is survived by a brother and sister-in-law, Ray and Carolyn Martin of San Angelo, Texas and a sister, Virginia Mulkey of Dallas, sister-in-law, Elsa Meuser of Germany. Jim is also survived by two aunts, one uncle, three nieces, his cousins and a host of loving friends. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorial donations be made to Heart to Heart Hospice, 100 W. Hawkins Parkway, Suite A, Longview, Texas 75605 or the American Heart Association, 10900-B Stonelake Blvd, Suite 320, Austin, Texas 78759. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Dr. Crumpler, Dr Massare, Dr. King and the staff at Good Shepherd from the time Jim entered the ER and followed to the 1st and 3rd floors.