James Mason Martin

James Mason Martin (Jim) died peacefully at Oregon Health and Science University on April 6, 2025 at the age of 74. Bonnie, his beloved wife of almost 51 years, was at his side. Jim was born on February 22, 1951 to George Thomas Martin, Jr. and Marvena Laree Martin, in Hollywood, California. Growing up in Las Vegas, his childhood was filled with friends, sports, working several jobs, exploring the deserts, and spending time with his older brother, Tom. German became a second language following his service as a missionary in Germany. He attended Brigham Young University where he received a BS in Electronics Technology and met and married Bonnie. Upon graduation, they moved to San Jose, California where Jim worked at Electromagnetic Systems Laboratory, received an MBA from Santa Clara University and their three oldest children, Eric, Amber and Garrett, were born. In 1981, the family moved to Corvallis, established roots in the community, and Krista and JC were born. Jim was an eternal student and loved learning new things. In recent years, he took online courses in psychology, physics, chemistry, math, and philosophy. He relished reading and then discussing what he’d read with others. At home, he was a gardener, landscaper, decorator, and Mr. Fix-it. After retirement from working at HP-Corvallis for 28 years, he taught business classes at Oregon State University for an additional nine years. He took up landscape painting and fulfilled a dream of playing in a local rock band. Jim loved dogs and dogs loved Jim. He felt particular fondness for this first dog, Sinsin, and his last dog, Molly. He appreciated trips to Hawaii with Bonnie, all genres of music, hot tubs, playing frisbee golf, tennis and pickleball with friends, planting and nurturing flowers, and sleeping with the window open and the fan on all year round. But most of all he loved his family and friends. He was the master of meaningful conversations and had a special ability to reach out to his children, grandchildren, and their friends. Before his death, he was able to converse and share his love with each family member, even via Zoom with a grandson in Mozambique serving a church mission. Jim was a people person who made his friends and family feel valued and appreciated. He loved spending time with them. Friends of all ages gathered at the Martin home for a rousing game of Risk or Chronology. Besides loving to learn and share magic tricks, Jim was an expert at dreaming up unique pranks to play on friends and family. Jim appreciated learning about the spiritual beliefs of others and practiced meditation for many years. He served in various responsibilities in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints which included years teaching children and youth in Sunday School classes. His love of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was manifest in the way he treated others and how he viewed the world with hope and goodness. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and a grandchild. He is survived by his wife, Bonnie, and their five children, Eric (Cherie), Amber, Garrett, Krista (John Malfatto), and JC (Ashley), fourteen grandchildren and his brother Tom (Donna). Being a husband, father, grandfather, and loyal friend were Jim’s prized callings on earth. A celebration of Jim’s life will be at 1 pm, Saturday, May 17, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4141 NW Harrison Blvd., Corvallis, OR. In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested that memorial donations can be made online to a charitable cause of your choice through the Giving Machines: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/light-the-world/giving-machines.

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James Mason Martin

February 22, 1951 - April 6, 2025