James D. Martin

James (Jim) Daugherty Martin, Jr, avid reader, music lover, and sports enthusiast passed away on June 1st, 2021, in Wichita, KS. He was the only child of Rosalind M. and James D. Martin, Sr. of Austin, TX.

Jim graduated from Norman High School in 1951 having lettered in basketball, tennis, and band. He studied music and religion and received Bachelor’s degrees from the University of Oklahoma and Phillips University. Jim also studied for an advanced diploma in radio electronics, receiving his radio operators license, and pursued a career in radio and television.

Jim was a gifted storyteller and had a velvet voice that allowed him to excel in radio doing play-by-play sports, news features and commercials. He would often travel to remote locations of the state to cover high school and college sports. Jim worked at various radio stations throughout Kansas and Oklahoma including: Enid, OKC, Pratt, Wellington, and Ulysses. He also worked behind the scenes in video production for many television shows at KARD and KAKE TV in Wichita. Later in life, he retired from McConnell AFB as a civilian employee and continued working with the Foster Grandparent program at Mead Middle School in Wichita.

Jim devoted his time to hobbies and family in equal measure. He could be found making a full breakfast spread on Saturday morning, taking photos of his kids or cats, reading a new book, starting a new latch hook pillow or rug while listening or watching to the Royals or Chiefs in the background, playing video games, chess or reading stories to his kids or grandkids, planting new flowers in his side yard, and collecting new forms of music and media. Jim was never too busy to take time for his family and friends, often sharing stories of his childhood, his latest adventures around the city or simply enjoying a meal together after a long day. He enjoyed planning family vacations and truly shared a love and zest for life while making many new friends along the way.

Jim is survived by his first wife, Mary Lou Heinrich; his children Michael Heinrich, Melodie Frazier, Kathy Ames, Holly N. Martin, Carol Chambers, Tom Minnick, Patricia Teets, Peggy Ensley, and Sue Nash; and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, wives Charlotte Martin and Florence A. Martin, and children Deidra Whitchurch, Juliet Chambers, Daniel Chambers, Valerie Martin, and a set of twins.