James Waldon Martin, age 95 of Ellijay, Ga, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday evening, November 7, 2024. He was born January 7, 1929 to his late parents, Robert Lee and Lemma Jane (Henson) Martin in Whitestone, Ga. He was a beloved husband, father, Paw-Paw and friend to many.

Waldon's childhood home in Whitestone was close to the Gilmer-Pickens County line and even though they lived in Gilmer County, no Gilmer County school bus came by his house. He rode a Pickens County school bus and subsequently graduated from Pickens County High School in 1946. In high school he lettered in Basketball and Track, the only two sports offered. After graduation from high school, he joined the U.S. Army and honorably served his country in the 32nd Medical Battalion at Ft Sam Houston, TX. Even though he did not serve during a war/conflict, on April 16, 1947 the Texas City Disaster occurred and his medical unit was deployed to Galveston Bay. A ship docked in the bay exploded when a fire on board ignited the cargo of ammonium nitrate fertilizer. This started a chain reaction of fires and explosions aboard other ships in the bay and a 15' tidal wave, ultimately killing 581 people, leaving thousands homeless, a seaport destroyed and many businesses lost. Waldon worked as an aid to the nurses' administering shots and leg and arm splints. This was the deadliest industrial accident in U.S. history and one of history's largest non-nuclear explosions. After leaving the service in 1948, he came home to Whitestone and drove a truck hauling limestone for several years before going to work for Lockheed in 1953 where he retired after 39 years of service. He worked his way up and served as a supervisor and inspector on various aircrafts throughout his career. He was also sent to various other Lockheed locations in the United States to work on specific projects. He drove other Lockheed employees from Ellijay to work during those years in his Country Squire Station Wagon. He was notorious for getting you there on time regardless of how many wrecks with other vehicles or deer he had or how many speeding tickets were issued.

He married Kathleen Woodring in 1957 and they were married for 62 years until she passed away in 2020. Waldon was an avid outdoorsman loving to hunt and fish. He went on trips with many local men all over the United States and abroad. Many life-long friends were made on these trips. He also loved sports and could be heard yelling loudly at his grandkids' ballgames. Waldon was well known for his gardening skills and always made a garden so big he would have to share with his family and friends. He served his community by working the election polls in Gilmer County for over 20 years. He was a dedicated Republican and proudly voted for Trump every time he was on the ballot and he was aware of his 2nd presidential win before he passed. He was an inaugural member of the ROMEO club, a group of Retired Older Men Eating Out and was seen in various restaurants in Ellijay on a daily basis until he developed Covid-19 in July of 2020. He would often discreetly buy meals of others in the restaurant. He loved to play tricks or tell jokes to anyone who would take a minute to humor him. He was saved at age 91 while in ICU and was baptized in Rainbow Lake and joined New Hope Baptist Church on Father's Day 2021 at age 92 with an enormous crowd of loved ones around him. He was proof that there was power in prayer. He overcame cancer twice over the years. First time in his bone marrow in 1978 and the last time in both lungs in 1984. He had been cancer free for over 40 years when Covid hit. He fiercely battled the side effects of Covid-19 for four years until his passing. He always knew God was protecting him throughout his life and even though his walk with Christ was short, he loved to attend church and share his testimony.

Waldon is survived by the following: Son and daughter-in-law: Greg and Anissa (Payne) Martin. Son-in-law and Daughter: James and Lisa (Martin) Bradley. Grandchildren: Christopher and Kelsey (Love) Bradley, Nathan Bradley, Kristen Martin (Jordan Musser) and Garrett Martin (MacKenzie Banks). Great-Grandsons: Rhett Curtis Bradley and Barron James Bradley. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Sisters Eunice Martin Copeland and Ellive Woody Payne along with brothers Hugh Woody and Percy Woody preceded him in death.

Visitation will be Monday, November 11 from 4-8 pm at Logan Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, November 12 at 3 pm from the New Hope Baptist Church in Ellijay, Ga. where their Pastor Rev Alan Davenport will be assisted by Rev Brian Clayton, Rev Norman Gibbs, Rev Billy Dotson, Rev Steve Jones and the North Georgia Honor Guard for the Memorial and Graveside services.

Pallbearers: Christopher Bradley, Nathan Bradley, Garrett Martin, Jordan Musser, Roger Woodring, Keith Logan, Rev. Norman Gibbs and Randy Copeland.

Honorary Pallbearers include: Dale Cochran, Paul Nealey, Roy Allen, Earl Payne, Elaine Thompson, Tobey Klein, and special caretakers, Marlene Starks, Maudine Newton, Bliss Cole, Berdie Ramirez and the Georgia Mountain Hospice staff.

Flowers may be sent or contributions in memory of Waldon can be made to New Hope Baptist Church for the Cemetery Fund, c/o Treasurer, Edgar Land at 77 Bob Pinson St, Ellijay, Ga. 30540 or Georgia Mountain Hospice at 70 Caring Way, Jasper, Ga 30143. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.loganfuneralhome.com

Logan Funeral Home & Chapel will oversee arrangements.