James Martin

SERVICES – Visitation 4 p.m. Sunday at Shannon Rufe Snow Funeral Chapel in North Richland Hills, with Rosary to follow at 6 p.m. Funeral Mass 11 a.m. Monday at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Keller. Interment 1:30 p.m. in Shannon Rose Hill Cemetery in Fort Worth.

MEMORIALS – In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that donations be made in James’ name to the National Park Foundation.

James was born Sept. 27, 1945 in Scranton, Penn., the eldest child of James F. Martin and Daria Yuschak. When he was still young the family relocated to New York. James was an avid student and had an aptitude for the engineering sciences, reflecting a passion for learning that would endure throughout his lifetime. He received a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering, both from the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn. James also earned a doctoral degree in mechanical engineering in 1972 from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.

James worked briefly for Ford Motor Co. and Boeing before becoming a project engineer for Chrysler in 1976. It was during this time that he met the love of his life, Ann Mary Kreft; the two were married on Aug. 5, 1977 in Detroit, Mich.

In 1981, following the births of the couple’s two daughters, James accepted a job as engineering specialist for Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. in Hurst, laying the foundation for a career that would span more than three decades. As a member of the Fatigue and Fracture Analysis Group, James contributed to the design, development, manufacture and fleet support phases of the Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. He was well-known for his patience, tenacious nature and attention to detail. Later in his career, James was highly valued for his abilities in mentoring and teaching younger engineers up to his retirement in 2013.

James also loved to travel, from the excursions of his young adulthood to England, Greece, Italy and other international destinations to the road trips he took most summers criss-crossing the country with his wife and children in the family minivan. After the passing of his wife in 2010, James rekindled that traveling spirit. He ventured to Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, the Caribbean, and numerous other locations with his sisters and, on one occasion, his children and all six of his grandchildren. He especially loved the federal parks system, cherishing his National Parks Senior Pass. In October, James passed away suddenly while fulfilling a longtime desire to travel to China.

James was a dear friend to all who knew him, and he will be remembered for his wide smile, hugs and firm handshakes, and the tremendous love and kindness he demonstrated every day.

James was preceded in death by his loving wife of 33 years, Ann.

SURVIVORS – Sisters, Daria Reyer of Port St. Lucie, Fla. and Danneel Gaglione and husband, Bob, of San Diego, Calif.; daughters, Angela McCulley and husband, Doug, of Coppell and Lori Rodriguez and husband, Erik, of Coppell; and grandchildren, Lucas, Alex, Austin, Mallory, Noah and Allison.

Arrangements under the direction of Shannon Rufe Snow Drive Funeral Chapel, Fort Worth, TX.