James “Ronnie” Martin

James “Ronnie” Martin, 82 of Russellville, Arkansas, passed away Monday, April 22, 2019, doing what he loved, working on the farm.
He was born June 25, 1936, in Crowley to James Albert Martin and Irabelle Moseley Martin.
Ronnie was the eldest of five brothers. He met the love of his life, Jolene, in grade school. They married in 1957, residing in Louisiana until 1972. Their four children were born in Louisiana.
Ronnie proudly served his country in the National Guard. He was a lifelong professional land surveyor. He began his career with John E. Chance and Associates in Lafayette. During that time, he worked in the Persian Gulf in the late 1960’s, helping lay the groundwork for the oil and gas industry as we know it today.
In 1972 the family moved to London, Arkansas. Ronnie partnered with Danny Hale to form Hale-Martin & Associates where he worked for over 30 years before retirement. During that time, he also served as Pope County surveyor. He walked over the land in Pope County praying for the land and the people. Ronnie’s single focus was to seek the Lord and serve the body of Christ wherever God led him. He lived by Philippians 3:10 – “That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection...”
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Byron Martin and Johnny Martin.
He will be dearly missed and forever loved by his loving wife of 61 years, Jolene Martin; daughter, Jennifer Churchill and husband Gary of Dover, Arkansas; son, Steve Martin and wife Becky of London; son, Micah Martin and wife Cindy of Lamar, Arkansas; son, Andy Martin of Russellville; five grandchildren, Adrielle Churchill of Washington, D.C., Colton Churchill and wife Chelsey of Fayettville, Arkansas, Sarah Martin of Conway, Arkansas, Benjamin Martin of London and Dalton Martin of London; one great-grandchild, Vivien Churchill of Fayettville; two brothers, Wendell Martin and wife Florence of Crowley and Mickey Martin and wife Beth of Leister, North Carolina; two sisters-in-law, Arlene Martin and Carole Martin, both of Crowley; and several nieces, nephews, other family and countless friends.
His visitation will be 1 p.m. Friday, April 26, 2019, at Fellowship of Christians, 1680 Sparksford Drive in Russellville. The funeral service will begin following the visitation at 2 p.m. with Dr. Travis Arterberry officiating and Rev. Tom Deere assisting. Burial will be in Churchill Family Cemetery in Dover, under the direction of Russellville Family Funeral.
Pallbearers will be Micah Martin, Steve Martin, Gary Churchill, Colton Churchill, Benjamin Martin and Dalton Martin.
Obituary and online guestbook are available at www.russellvillefamilyfuneral.com.