James "Jim" Franklin Martin passed away peacefully on April 10, 2025, at the age of 85. He was born on September 14, 1939, in Oak Park, Illinois, to Kile and Esther (Doty) Martin and grew up on an International Harvester test farm--later known as Burr Ridge--in Hinsdale, Illinois. His love for RED tractors remained a lifelong passion.

Jim met his wife Loretta through mutual family connections in La Grange, Illinois. They married in 1967 and started a family after moving to Wisconsin.

Jim began his professional career at United Air Lines in 1959, working as a Line Maintenance Clerk at O'Hare Maintenance until 1967. He served in the U.S. Army from 1963 to 1965 in El Paso, Texas. After earning his degree in Geography from Northern Illinois University in 1969 he joined the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, initially as a planning analyst in the highway department. In 1978, his keen interest in airplanes led him to the Bureau of Aeronautics, where he worked on aircraft registration, weather system installations, and later monitored tall structures in Wisconsin airspace to protect aviation safety.

Flying was a passion Jim pursued from an early age, earning his pilot's license at 19. He was a long-time member of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), where he gave his time to inspire young people to explore careers in science, engineering, and aviation. Following his retirement, Jim continued his work with EAA as a carpenter, helping maintain and renovate buildings at Oshkosh and co-chairing hands-on workshops during AirVenture for over 15 years. He taught classes on sheet metal, making ribs and other parts for homebuilt aircraft as a volunteer during the annual AirVenture fly-ins for an impressive 36 years.

In addition to his aviation endeavors, Jim was an accomplished woodworker with a vast collection of tools. He was always ready to lend a hand, offering ideas for small repairs, creating beautiful heirlooms, or taking on full-scale remodeling projects.

A charter member of McFarland United Church of Christ and a past Master and long-time member of Doric Lodge #356 F & A.M. of Wisconsin, Jim was deeply committed to his community and faith.

Jim is survived by his wife Loretta, daughter Linda, son-in-law Rame Chitturi, grandson Hari, sister-in-law René Kromray, nieces Norene and Kristin, and lifelong friend Bill Catlin. He was preceded in death by his parents Kile and Esther Martin, brother John, grandson David, and brother-in-law Eugene Kromray.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at McFarland United Church of Christ, 5710 Anthony Street, McFarland, WI. A second visitation will take place on Wednesday, July 9, from 9:00-10:30 a.m., followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. A light lunch will be served afterward in the fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the EAA Young Eagles program or to McFarland United Church of Christ.

Jim's legacy of service, kindness, and devotion will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.