JIMMY MELVIN MARTIN, 84, of Big Lake, TX, entered
God's heavenly kingdom on April 27, 2014, with
burial in Glen Rest Cemetery.
Jimmy was born Sept. 17, 1929, in Ranger, TX, to
Emmett Lucian Martin and Ellie Mae Lee Martin.
After graduating from Ranger High School in 1947,
he married the love of his life, Jane Ann McMillan
(RHS-1951) in June of 1951, in Barnhart, TX. They
then moved to Big Lake where they raised their
three children, Jimmy Mack, Jana and Jena and
shared 61 beautiful years together until her
death in 2012. Jimmy & Jane owned and operated
Martin's Department Store for almost 60 years.
During that time Jimmy and Jane also built and
owned the Derrick Inn Motel for many years. In
1986, Jimmy got a taste of the oil business and
formed Jimmy Martin, Inc. He was always proud of
the legacy of his family businesses. Jimmy was a
lifelong member of First Baptist Church in Big
Lake. Jimmy was a generous and fun-loving man.
He never met a stranger. He was always anxious
to reach out his hand to meet a new friend and
find out where they were from. The close bond
he was able to form with people was a special
gift Jimmy had. More than anything, though, his
family brought him more joy than one could
imagine. You could see his face light up and
the twinkle in his eyes at the mere mention of
Jane, Jimmy Mack, Jana or Jena. As his family
grew, so did the love Jimmy had for his family.
Jimmy was preceded in death by his loving wife,
Jane; his loving son, Jimmy Mack; his parents,
Emmett Lucian and Ellie Mae Martin; his brother,
Charles Martin; his great-granddaughter, Kynsley
Ann Bryant; and his niece, Julie Martin.
At the time of his death, he was survived by his
loving daughters Jana Fisher and husband Mike and
Jena Fisher and husband Gregg, all of Big Lake.
He is also survived by his brother & buddy, E.L.
Martin (RHS-1938) and wife Melba of Lubbock; his
sister, Jane Carver (RHS-1938) of Graham; and
several nieces and nephews. His pride and joy were
his four grandkids, Landon Fisher and wife Stace,
Leah Bryant and husband Tanner, all of San Angelo,
Brennan Fisher of Lubbock and Brady Fisher of Big
Lake. Also surviving are his two great-grandsons,
Connor and Hudson Fisher of San Angelo; and another
great-grandson on the way. He is survived by two
special nieces and their families, Kathryn Sellers
of Colleyville & Beverly Barnett of San Antonio.
Also surviving are numerous friends and relatives;
and last, but not least, his loyal and faithful,
furry companion who he adored, Joe Boy.