James Andrew Martin

James Andrew Martin passed away on Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at the age of 83. Jim, as most knew him, was born on October 17, 1942 in Dunn Loring, Virginia. He was an active boy and in his early years jumped on and off trains to shorten his walk to school. He hiked with his buddies to Purcellville and had a lifelong memory of a trip to the Shenandoah River where he floated on the water and cooked by a fire. In his teens, Jim lived in Midland working on his dear Uncle Lloyd Martin's farm. In 1960, Jim joined the National Guard serving his country for three years. >> >> Jim lived with many painful memories of the severe abuse he suffered at the hands of a drunken father. At age 19, Jim’s life was changed when he gave his heart to God at a Manassas Church of God campmeeting service in July 1962. Jim was ever thankful that through God he could forgive his father and break the family cycle of alcoholism. In September 1962, Jim married the love of his life, Lynette. Together they raised a family in a house Jim built with his own hands at the age of 26. >> >> Jim was a carpenter working for many years with his brother (Bob Martin) on high-end homes throughout Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. Jim and Bob completed restoration work on the pews in historic Christ Church in Old Town Alexandria. Jim completed custom furniture projects in Manhattan, New York and Lima, Peru. Jim’s greatest joy was using his talents for the Lord. He spent many days working on the Church of God campgrounds in Stewartville, Alabama as well as a building project in Grand Cayman. Every summer, Jim enjoyed fixing and repairing the old Manassas Church of God campground buildings and his greatest accomplishment was building the pulpit, choir pews, and altars. He loved working on his home church, building beautiful bookcases for the library and customizing a corbel for the front porch. Jim had no formal training in carpentry and gave all glory to God for his talents. >> >> Jim loved the outdoors and hiked 700 miles on the Appalachian Trail through Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and part of Pennsylvania. He was known on the Trail as “Old Jim.” Because of how Jim was raised, his greatest burden was to help boys with similar difficulties love the great outdoors and eventually become strong men of God. For years, Jim took countless individuals on unforgettable camping trips throughout central and western Virginia. He was in charge of cooking and made legendary meals on his oversized cast-iron skillet. On each trip, he led in-depth devotions around the campfire and it was evident that his knowledge of the Bible was extensive. Jim enjoyed road trips and crossed the United States numerous times as he traveled to 47 states attending campmeetings and visiting National Parks along the way. >> >> Throughout his life, Jim enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing, woodworking, eating seafood or a good steak, and bicycling on Sunday mornings, but his greatest passion was his love for God. Jim spent time every day studying his Bible and praying for the needs of his family, friends, and those suffering around the world. He loved attending church services and getting others to go with him. For many years, Jim filled up the old church van and drove to church meetings in central Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Over the years, Jim and his wife were moved with compassion and invited many individuals needing a place to stay into their home. Jim’s main goal was to make Heaven his eternal home and would often request his congregation to sing number 467 in the hymnal, "When We All Get to Heaven." He especially loved the third verse, “just one glimpse of Him in glory will the toils of life repay.” Jim believed in the power of prayer and took courage in singing the lyrics that prayer “moveth the arm that moveth the worlds.” >> >> Jim was a living miracle. After surviving numerous heart attacks at the age of 81, Jim was sent home to be made comfortable. In God’s goodness, Jim lived another 14 months. He lived out his purpose of helping, encouraging, and influencing many to walk with God. Jim is now in his heavenly home, where he "sent up much material.” Jim had many favorite scriptures that gave him strength on the hardest of days. Two of these favorites were Hebrews 13:5, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" and Matthew 24:13, “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Through life’s ups and downs, Jim remained faithful, stedfast, honest, and humble. >> >> Jim leaves behind his lovely wife, Lynette Martin; children, Becky Martin of Fredericksburg; Debbie Martin of Bealeton; Jimmy Martin and wife, Joyce of Warrenton; Lori Seeley and husband, Matthew of Manassas. Jim leaves behind six grandchildren, Chris Aurelio and wife, Mabel of Fredericksburg; Lonigan Martin and wife, Tara of Warrenton; Sage Martin of Warrenton; Taegan Seeley, Tanner Seeley, and Tallon Seeley of Manassas; as well as one great-granddaughter, Camilla Aurelio of Fairfax. Jim also leaves behind nieces, a special nephew, numerous cousins, and many, many friends across the United States. Jim is honored to have had a lifelong friendship with Bernie Langhorne of Haymarket. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Roland and Mary Martin of Fairfax; brothers, Hubert Martin of Cape Coral, Florida and Bob Martin of Bealeton. >> >> The family will receive friends on Monday, November 10, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Manassas Church of God, 8823 Rixlew Lane, Manassas, VA 20109. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at the Manassas Church of God. Interment will follow at Midland Church of the Brethren, 10434 Old Carolina Road, Midland, VA 22728.

James Andrew Martin

October 17, 1942 - November 5, 2025