James Lavern Martin

James Laverne Martin

Jim Martin passed away early Sunday morning, (November 1, 2020) at his rural Putnam County home.

The son of Clyde and Ruby (Mathes) Martin he was born February 2, 1940, in rural Putnam County.

He grew up in Putnam County and attended Brassfield Rural School through eighth grade. He attended the Queen City High School graduating with the class of 1957.

Jim was married to Phyliss Smith and to this union three children were born; Julie, Susan, and Ryan.

His first job was working for Ralph Allen in his machine shop.

In 1966 he moved to Bettendorf, Iowa, where he worked for Linquist Ford for a number of years.  He then moved back to Missouri and worked for Updyke Motors awhile then went to work for Kirksville Ready Mix and transitioned to Kirksville Concrete where he worked for almost thirty years.  He worked for Whitworth Ag. Service for ten years before retirement.

On June 23, 1996, in the Greentop Baptist Church he was united in marriage to Cheryl Gottman who survives. He is also survived by his children Julie Ruggles and husband Gene of Stephenville, Texas, Susan Butler and husband Jimmie of Kirksville, MO, Ryan Martin and wife Shudi of Hastings, Nebraska, Betsy Gottman of Unionville, MO, Steve Gottman and wife Kristie of Queen City, MO, and Sam Gottman and significant other Jakki Fuller of Memphis, MO.  He is also survived by grandchildren; Ashley Reese and husband Brandon of Salt Lake City, Utah, Amber Ruggles and significant other Matt Medcalf of Stephenville, Texas, Tell Ruggles and wife Morghan of New Mexico, Amanda Leach of Kirksville, MO, Kaycie Martin of Hastenings, Nebraska, Jordan Gottman and wife Kylee of Grain Valley, MO, Jessica Shively and husband Jaron Kirksville, MO, and Brooklynn and husband Christian Fuller of Memphis, MO.

Also surviving are seven great grandchildren, one brother Gary Martin and wife Pansy of Queen City, Mo., and two nieces and one nephew.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Jim loved to tinker, swap meets, flea markets, old cars, and really loved to listen to and play old Country Gospel and Blue Grass Music.

He was a member of the Worthington Baptist Church.

Graveside services will be Thursday (November 5, 2020) at 11:00 a.m. in the Martin Family Cemetery west of Worthington, Mo with Pastor Paul Crossgrove officiating.

Pallbearers will be Jimmy Butler, Andy Myers, Caleb Myers, Sam Gottman, Gene Ruggles, and John Campbell.  Honorary Bearers will be Tell Ruggles, Bradley Campbell, Tyler Campbell, Jeremy Salladay, Richard Western and Jeff Marshall.

Visitation will be after 3:00 p.m. Wednesday November 4, 2020, with the family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in the Dooley Funeral Home, Queen City, Missouri.

Donations are suggested to the family. The family would like for everyone to ear masks to the visitation and service.

Arrangements in the care of Dooley Funeral Home, Queen City, MO; www.dooleyfh.com.