PASTOR JAMES WILLIAM MARTIN, JR., 94 of Dawson, passed away at 5:28 AM Thursday, January 24, 2019 in Westmoreland Manor, Hempfield Township. Jim was born December 9, 1924 in Pittsburgh, a son of the late James William and Dorothy Belle (Reed) Martin. He married Mildred Jean "Millie" (Toplis) Martin on September 3, 1948 in the Sheraton Methodist Church, Pittsburgh.

Jim was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He served as a Pastor in the Western PA United Methodist Church Conference for 15 years, retiring in 1999. His service included the following: Licensed to Preach 1960; Supply Pastor WPA Methodist Church 1959-1963; Admitted to Trial WPA Conference 1963; Full member 1965; Deacon 1963; Middleton Elder 1965; Member at Union 1970; and Honorable Location 1981. His academic records included: BA Waynesburg University 1962; STB Wesley Theological Seminary 1965; and MA West Virginia University 1971 in Theology and Counseling. Jim's appointments included: Jollytown Circut; Grandview; Laurel Run; Mount Zion; Pleasant Hill; New Freeport; Pine Bank 1952-62; Brownfield; White Rock 1962-65; Dawson-Vanderbilt 1965-70; Director of Leisure Ministries to Laurel Highlands 1970-71; Brookline 1971-73; Concerned of PA Inc 1973-76; and Honorable Location 1981. A veteran of the US Army, he served as a PFC during WWII as a tank commander, driver, gunner, and cannoneer on a Sherman 34 ton tank in the Company A, 28th Tank Battalion in the Asiatic Pacific theater. He was a member of the Philip Cochran Memorial United Methodist Church in Dawson, a member of the Dawson Vanderbilt Lions Club and was an avid reader.

Jim will be sadly missed by his loving family, his wife of 70 years, Mildred Jean "Millie" (Toplis) Martin; his children, Clifford Alan Martin and wife Karen of New York, Neil Emerson Martin and wife Sarah of Maryland; Kenneth Grant Martin and wife Debra of Maine, Aimee W. Twigg and husband August of Greensburg, and Hattie C. Wolfe and husband Lester Leister of Rhode Island; 10 grandchildren; four great grandchildren; his sister, Joy Eggers of Florida; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Paige Arlene Martin; and two brothers, Donald T. and Richard R. Martin.

Personalized arrangements are under the professional supervision of the RALPH GALLEY FUNERAL HOME, 501 RAILROAD STREET , DAWSON ( 724-529-2611 / www.fergusonfunerals.com ). Family and friends will be received from 2-4 & 6-8 PM Saturday in the funeral home chapel. Additional viewing will be held from 12:30-1:30 PM Sunday in the Philip Cochran Memorial United Methodist Church where funeral services will be held at 1:30 PM Sunday with Pastor Rob Rabenstein officiating. Final resting place will be in Hoffman Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Philip Cochran United Methodist Church. An additional memorial service will be announced at a later date.