James D. Martin

James (Jimmy) Douglas Martin was born October 4, 1940 in Mesa, Arizona and passed away on May 17, 2017 in Peoria, Arizona. Jimmy was the youngest of four children born to Roy Joseph Martin (1911-1999) and Gladys Elizabeth Ryder (1916–1982). Jimmy spent ten years (1957-1967) at the Arizona Children’s Colony in Coolidge (an institution for the mentally challenged) before being able to live independently and on his own. In 1971 he married Mary Redmore (1943-2007) who had also been a residence at the Arizona Children’s Colony during the same period. Jimmy married again in 1987 to Dorothy Lou Merz (1935-2013) whom he met as co-workers at U-Haul Headquarters office on the night cleaning crew. Dorothy preceded him in death on April 24, 2013. He was also preceded in death by his parents. Jimmy was also preceded in death by his wonderful stepmother, Ollie Nadine Dowdy Burgett Martin (1914-1999), and stepfather William G. Rost (1930-2016). He is survived by his sisters; Peggy Joan Glasscock of Dallas, Texas; Geneva Fay Kriner of Surprise, Arizona; and Elizabeth Ann Wright of Sun City, Arizona. He is also survived by a half-brother, Robbie Dean Rost of Mesa, Arizona and three nieces and one nephew. Graveside services to be held at Resthaven Park Cemetery, Glendale, Arizona on Wednesday May 24, 2017 at 10:00 am. Burial to follow.