James Richard Martin

James Richard Martin (Jim), 86, of Henderson, Kentucky, passed away August 3, 2025.

Jim was born in Billings, Montana on March 21, 1939 to the late Cecilia (Fitzpatrick) and Nicklaus Martin.

In 1957, directly after graduating from high school in Hamilton, MT, Jim joined the Navy, where he served four years.

Jim met his beloved wife, Anna Joyce Kennedy (Joyce), in the 5th grade in Hamilton, and the two married on December 26, 1960. Upon Jim’s honorable discharge from the Navy, he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from Montana State University, in Bozeman, where the two began raising their family.

Dedicating himself to his faith, his family, and his community, Jim was the consummate role model, most especially for his children and “grands.”

Jim’s successful career included several relocations. He first became a Kentuckian in 1971 as he served in a series of roles during the start-up of the Anaconda Aluminum Plant in Sebree, KY. Jim’s tenure with Anaconda included promotions to finance roles of increasing responsibility, first in 1981 in Louisville, KY, and, a few years later, in Chicago, IL. He returned to Henderson in 1989 assuming the role of Plant Manager for Alcan Aluminum in Sebree. Jim was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel in 1992. On April 1, 2000, he retired as Alcan’s Plant Manager and the North American representative of that organization. Before and after retirement, Jim served on multiple boards, including the Evansville (Indiana) Lutheran School Board, the Methodist Hospital Board, and Henderson County Riverport Board. In retirement, Jim enjoyed volunteering with Habitat for Humanity of Henderson and, returning to his childhood joy of farming, working alongside his son, Kevin, and daughter-in-law, Mary Jane, tending cattle and mending fences.

In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Sheila (Cater) Perkins; his brothers, Walter Martin and Keith Martin; sister, Bernadine (Martin) Bradley; sister-in-law, Carolyn (Ervin) Martin; and brother-in-law, Norman Bradley.

Jim is survived by his wife of 64 years, Joyce; his brother, David Martin (Linda); sister, Elizabeth Bazin (Russell); his three children, Kevin Martin (Mary Jane), Deborah Beavin (Jeffrey), Shauna Boom (Doug); grandchildren, Erin Beavin-Nall (Ryan), Nicholas Beavin, Rebecca Boom, Samantha Batts (Thomas), Kyle Boom, and Nathan Boom; great-grandchildren, Paige Perkins, Austin Nall, Savannah Nall, Madelyn Zdunek, and Caroline Zdunek; great-great-grandchild, Phoenix Owens; and several nieces and nephews.

Jim’s celebration of life will be 11 a.m., Monday, September 1, at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Henderson, with Rev. Dr. Thomas Wenig of the Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer in Evansville officiating. A private burial will follow later.

Visitation will be Monday, September 1, from 9 - 11a.m. at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer in Evansville, IN or to the Father Bradley Shelter for Women and Children in Henderson, KY.