James Otto Martin

James Otto “Speed” Martin, 93, Topeka, passed away December, 24, 2010. James was born July 10, 1917, on a farm in Adair County, Missouri, to Lee Roy Martin and Bess Myrtle Crawford. He graduated from Kirksville High School, Kirksville, Missouri.
He married Wilma Mae “Pasty” Martin September 8, 1937, who passed away March 15, 2010. He was preceded by his parents and sisters, Lorena Wagy, Dottie Cassady, and Jewelee Smith. He is survived by his sister, Florabel Rebuffoni, and his three children David Earl Martin of Overland Park, Kansas, Douglass Eugene (Kimberly) Martin of Kansas City, Missouri and daughter Denise Elaine (Ron) Gum of Topeka, Kansas. He was also blessed with 8 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.
James was active in his favorite things-family, church, community, scouting and things new. He was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Topeka, Kansas, and First Presbyterian Church in Wichita, Kansas. He was of a time when men started and finished their careers with one company. James’ earliest employment was with Fox Theater Corporation in 1934 and retired in 1981.
James began working as an usher at the Kennedy Theatre in Kirksville and was soon promoted to management. For twenty-seven years, he managed theaters in both Missouri and Kansas, receiving many promotions and awards. In 1942, he was recognized as the first Fox theater manager in Missouri to racially integrate theater seating. He always said that “if they paid the same ticket price, they should be allowed to sit anywhere they want.” In Topeka, he was the City Manager for the Fox Theatres, including the Grand, Fox and Jayhawk. When James retired, he was the Midwest District Manager of all Fox theaters in Kansas
James was active in many Chamber of Commerce, supported PBS, Lion’s Club, Meals on Wheels (25 years), and built with Habitat for Humanity for 15 years. When unable to build, he attended and passed the city’s Food Handler Certification class in order to prepare meals for Habitat workers. He was also National President of Lion’s Club International.
James was an avid Boy Scout adult leader with Troop 2, Salina, Kansas, for over 18 years. He was awarded the Silver Beaver in 1962 for recognition of his dedicated service. James was Troop Leader for the National Jamborees held in Colorado Springs, 1960 and Valley Forge, 1964.
Memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm Tuesday, December 28, at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel, 1321 SW 10th, Topeka, Kansas. Burial will be at 1:00 pm. Wednesday, December 29, at Union Cemetery, outside of Gibbs, Missouri.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 525 North Broadway, Wichita, Kansas 68214 or KTWU-PBS, 1700 College, Topeka, Kansas, 66612.