Jimmy Ray Martin

On Tuesday, December 24th, Jimmy Ray Martin drifted off this mortal coil. His spirit was released from it’s worn out shell, and now he resides with his maker and his beloved daughter Kayla. In his final days and moments, Jimmy was surrounded by those who loved and admired him. He spent his time not wallowing in what was to come, but instead he celebrated and recounted the beautiful life he had lived at the home he loved. He was 75 years old. Jimmy was not a complicated man, he believed in working hard, treating others with respect, and he was fiercely protective of the family he loved so much. He was slow to anger, described as a teddy bear by most, but when provoked, he could be a force of nature, especially when it came to the love of his life, his Carolyn. Jimmy met his soulmate on the playground at the tender age of 11 years old in 1955, and the way they told the story, they both knew right away they were destined to live this life together. Not long after, in 1961 at the age of 16, they were married, and the rest, as they say, is history.They had one child together, a daughter they named Kayla, and by all accounts, she had him wrapped around her finger. He loved to stay up late with her (even on school nights, against Carolyn’s wishes) and watch wrestling on TV in the living room, most of the time practicing the same moves they would later unleash on each other. We’ve all heard the stories about their epic bouts, one even ended with Kayla hogtied, and left on the floor for Carolyn to find, all in good fun of course. Eventually Jimmy was blessed with grandchildren, Brandon Chase Ray and Amanda Cody Rae, both of whom share his middle name to honor him. He loved them completely, and played a significant part in shaping them into the people they would grow to be (I speak from experience). Later in life, he was blessed again as a Great-Grandfather, a position he didn’t take lightly. Braxton Bexar Ray and Braelyn Paisley Gail, named after both Jimmy and Kayla, who preceded him in leaving this life, and whom he looked forward to seeing again. He shared all his love with Braxton and Braelyn, his scooter and rosebud, as he called them. Jimmy was overjoyed with the thought of being blessed again with another great-grandchild, this time from his beloved granddaughter Amanda. He was so happy when he learned of her pregnancy, and although he wasn’t able to meet Briella Rae, his love for her will still be felt. Aside from his wife and grandchildren, Jimmy is survived by his sister Alice Pearce and brother Donnie Martin, both of whom he loved dearly and spoke of often. Jimmy’s family tree is full, filled with nieces, nephews and friends that he cherished more than they could ever know. He also took comfort in knowing that he would soon be reunited with those he had loved and lost throughout the years; his mother Ozell Hopper Martin, his father Charlie Martin, his sister Christine Tune, his brothers Jerry, Billy and Jackie and his daughter Kayla White. Jimmy lived his life the way he wanted to, he met the love of his life, made a family, traveled the country, fished, hunted, and built a homestead with his own hands. He loved westerns, and cowboy movies. He loved building things by hand, and spent his entire life working in carpentry and woodworking. He was able to do all these things, and leave such an indelible mark on the lives of everyone that knew him. We are all a little better for knowing him.