James Kenneth Martin was born the son of James Frank Martin and Stella Vione (Graham) Martin on June 30, 1928, in Searcy County, Arkansas and departed this life September 17, 2014, at his home in Couch, Missouri at the age of 86 years.
He was united in marriage on June 3, 1950, in Harrison, Arkansas to Vinita Hancock.
He is survived by his wife of sixty-four years, Vinita Martin of the home in Couch, Missouri; one son, Dwight Eric Martin and wife, Kimberly Ann of Couch, Missouri; two grandsons, Blake Eric Martin and wife, Michelle of West Plains, Missouri, and Derrick James Martin of Springfield, Missouri; one great granddaughter, Kylee Brooke Martin; one great grandson, Wyatt Matthew Martin; two brothers, Dalph Martin of Hasty, Arkansas, and John Henry Martin and wife, Ardith of Hasty, Arkansas; several nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Stella Martin; an infant son, Arlin Carroll Martin; and two sisters, Bernice Earwood and Imogene Davis.
Kenneth was a graduate of the Mt. Judea High School in Newton County, Arkansas, graduating with the class of 1948.
Farm life was Kenneth and Vinita’s way of life. They lived and raised their family in Hasty, Arkansas for 33 years and continued the same farm tradition after moving to Couch. Through their dedication and Kenneth’s long hours and hardwork on the farm, they developed a successful livestock and beef cattle farming operation.
Kenneth had strong Pentecostal faith, reading and studying his Bible, and attending Midway Pentecostal Church as long as his health permitted.
He will be remembered as a devoted family man, and was well respected by his family, friends, and the community in which he lived.
The family will receive friends at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer on Thursday, September 18, 2014 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.
Funeral services will be held, Friday, September 19, 2014, at 10:00 AM in the Carter Funeral Home Chapel at Thayer. Graveside services will follow on Friday at 3:00 PM in the Holmes Cemetery near Bellefonte, Arkansas with Brother Derwin Martin officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer, Missouri.