James A. “Jim” Martin of St. Augustine, Florida and Harbor Springs, Michigan passed away March 3, 2017 at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. He was born on October 18, 1940 in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania to Gerald W. and Elizabeth Martin and moved to Ayersville, Ohio with his family at the age of 1. 
After graduating in 1958 from Ayersville High School where he excelled in athletics, he went on to play baseball and basketball at Defiance College and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Jim was recently inducted into both the inaugural Ayersville High School Hall of Fame as part of the 1957 Class A State Championship Basketball Team, and the Defiance College Athletic Hall of Fame along with his National Finals Baseball Team.
Jim received a Master’s Degree in School Administration from St. Francis University in Fort Wayne, Indiana and spent over 50 years as a teacher, coach, special education consultant, driver education instructor, athletic director and school administrator in Ohio, Michigan and Florida. Jim so loved teaching and mentoring that even after two “official “ retirements he continued as a substitute in St. Johns County Schools, Florida.
Jim is survived by his wife of 53 years, Barbara Gerhart Martin, daughter Lynne (John) Martin of Westfield, Indiana, son Jay (Hilary) Martin of East Grand Rapids, Michigan, and cherished grandchildren Taylor, Kennedy, Delaney, Brennan, Ainsley, and Dax. He will also be greatly missed by his sister Sue (Robert) Goldenetz of Sun City, Florida, his brothers David of Powell, Ohio, Richard (Ginny) of Columbus, Ohio, Rod (Mary) of Ayersville, Ohio, and Carl (Linda) of Portland, Oregon, as well as his many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister, Marjorie.
Travel was a big part of Jim’s life and he and Barbara had many memorable adventures throughout Europe including a recent 3 week stay in their “adopted’ city Paris. Be it be camping by the Mediterranean for the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, exploring the backroads of Alaska, enjoying the desert around Tucson, Arizona, the annual food and wine trips to Sonoma County, California, or having an interesting Thanksgiving in Florence, Italy, Jim relished experiencing other cultures and meeting new people. In fact, it was said he couldn’t wait in a line for more than 5 minutes without making three new friends!
Whether it was spending time with his children and grandchildren and reveling in their varied pursuits, attending musicals such as Hamilton, enjoying live musical performances as disparate as YoYoMa with the Chicago Symphony, Willy Nelson, Andrea Bocelli, the Grand Ole Opry or the Music By the Sea concerts in St. Augustine Beach, watching his favorite sports teams, camping along the beach in Grand Haven, tailgating with his many Buckeye friends, or enjoying time with family on the ski slopes of Northern Michigan, Jim found fun and experienced life to the fullest.   
Always compassionate and caring, Jim was truly one of the positive contributors to our world and will be greatly missed. 
A Celebration of Life Service for Jim will be held at Ayersville United Methodist Church in Ayersville, Ohio on Sunday March 19, 2017, with visitation at 1:00 pm and a service at 2:00 pm.  
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the James A. Martin Memorial Fund c/o the Ayersville Athletic Department.