James Robert Martin

James Robert “Grandpa” Martin, 70, of Libby died Friday, Aug. 10, 2018, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center surrounded by family and loved ones.

James was born April 21, 1948, in Newport, Washington, to Ralph and Winnifred (Harris) Martin.

Jim grew up in Spirit Lake, Idaho. At about the age of 14, he moved to Enaville, Idaho, where he lived with his uncle Emery Rex and worked moving houses.

On April 8, 1967, he married Ina L. Rodreguez in Libby, where they raised three sons: Robert, Jeffery and Gerald Martin. On May 8, 1968, “Grandpa” was inducted into the United States Army and served in Vietnam from May 18, 1969 to April 7, 1970. After his service, he went to work for the St. Regis Paper Company in Libby. During his tenure there, he worked in the woods as well as the plywood plant.

In 1983, Grandpa started Martin Logging by purchasing his first logging truck, a 1959 Mack. In 1988, he moved to Winnemucca, Nevada, where he worked as a heavy equipment operator for several open-pit gold mining companies. As a heavy equipment operator, he loved drilling blasting holes and core samples. In 2004, Grandpa moved back to Libby, where he worked for Martin Logging, which was now being operated by his eldest son, Robert. Jim worked for 14 years in the occupation and the place he loved most — Libby — as a log truck driver.

Grandpa is survived by his wife, Ina L. Martin; sons and daughters-in-law Robert and Stephanie of Libby, Jeff and Kristan of Libby, and Gerald and Cheryl of Reno, Nevada; sisters and brothers-in-law Sharon and Bob Moore of Athol, Idaho, Janice and Daniel Eastman of Spirit Lake, Idaho, and sister Kathy Gillihan of Winnemucca, Nevada; sister-in-law Roxy Martin of Spirit Lake, Idaho; five grandchildren Brittany, Alysha, Kellyn, Ruby and Lucky Martin; and one great-grandchild, “Perky” Parker Leir.

Jim is preceded in death by one daughter, Kim Louisa, and two brothers, Kevin and Larry Martin.

Services will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, at 37880 Highway 2 in Libby (Martin Logging).

Schnackenberg Funeral Home performed final preparations and Tom Obleness will officiate the service.

Please visit James (Grandpa) R. Martin’s memorial and sign his online guest book at schnackenbergfh.com.