James W. Martin, 86, died March 10, 2008 at Harbor Hospice of Beaumont, after a brief illness.
Martin, a native of Shelby, Mississippi, and a longtime Beaumont resident, was Port Director of the Port of Beaumont from 1973 until his retirement in 1986.
He is survived by his wife, Betty; sons, Jimmy of Houston and Scot and his wife Hilda and their daughter Sarah all of Chicago. Other survivors include Betty’s daughters, Suzanne Huber and her husband Beau and their children, Beth Huber and Kendal and her husband Dr. Landon Larenz and one great grandson, Charles Lorenz and Debbie McCrory and her husband Tim and their children, Mike, Megan, Kathleen, Matthew and Patrick.
Martin led the Port of Beaumont through some of its most challenging and prosperous years in the 1970’s and 80’s. Under his leadership, the port had two of its highest tonnage years in history. His major contributions to the port were diversification of cargo and developing new facilities to handle changes in marine transportation.
Martin came to the port after sixteen years as the deputy port director for trade development for the Port of New Orleans. He began his career in international transportation in 1951 at the Port of Houston as executive assistant to the general manager.
While at the helm of the Port of Beaumont, Martin served as president of the Gulf Ports Association and as a member of the board of directors of the American Association of Port Authorities. After he retired, Martin served as a consultant in port development for the International Executive Service Corps, including a project in El Salvador.
Martin received his education at Schreiner Institute in Kerrville, the University of Texas and the University of Mexico City, Mexico. He served as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy during World War II, earning a bronze star in the Pacific Theater.
Martin was married to the former Mae Jo Winn from 1948 until her death in 2001.
A gathering of family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Thursday evening, March 13, 2008 at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont. A memorial service will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 14, 2008 at Trinity United Methodist Church followed by a reception in Vivion Hall at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, P O Box 5144, Beaumont, Texas 77726 or Trinity United Methodist Church, P O Box 5247, Beaumont, Texas 77726.
