Martin "Jim" James Church

Martin James Church

On the morning of June 13, 2007, Martin James Church, 90, passed peacefully from this life at his home in Aptos, Calif.

He was born Nov. 18, 1916 on the family homestead near Keeline.

James was a farmer, fisherman, gardener, woodsman, rock hound and Santa Cruz County champion jam maker. He attended school in Keeline and Manville, graduating with the class of 1934, he then graduated from the University of Wyoming. For 34 years he was a standards engineer for United Airlines beginning his career in Cheyenne and in 1945 was transferred to San Francisco.

He leaves behind his beloved wife of 62 years, Ethel (Bartos); daughter, Benecia Price of Incline Village, Nev.; son, Marty and wife, Andrea; stepson, Jim Whitaker and wife, Kay, of San Carlos, Calif.; and stepson Ted Whitaker and wife, Georgia of Lingle, along with nephew, Palmer Watson and wife, Beulah; nieces, Minnette Gregory and husband, Harold and Justine Watson. James was grandfather to nine grandchildren, one of whom passed before, and was the great-grandfather of 12. Two stepsons, Jack Whitaker and Wendall Whitaker preceded him in death. Also preceding him in death were his parents, Martin Van Buren and Frances Josephine Church, and his sister, Minerva Watson.

Funeral Services were held at the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, Soquel, CA.

Findagrave.com
San Francisco Gate.com
June 16, 2007

On the morning of June 13, 2007, Martin James "Jim" Church passed peacefully from this life at his home in Aptos, CA. Born on the family homestead near Keeline, WY, Jim was a farmer, fisherman, gardener, woodsman, rock hound, and Santa Cruz County champion jam maker. He was a graduate of the University of Wyoming and, for 34 years, a standards engineer for United Airlines. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 62 years, Ethel; daughter, Benecia; son, Marty and wife, Andrea; stepson, Jim Whitaker and wife, Kay; and stepson, Ted Whitaker and wife, Georgia. Two stepsons, Jack Whitaker and Wendall Whitaker preceded him in death. Jim was grandfather to nine grandchildren, one of whom passed before, and was the great-grandfather of 12. Also preceding him in death were his parents, Martin VanBuren and Frances Josephine Church, and his sister, Minerva Watson.

The family offers a special thanks to Dr. Barry Norris for his exceptional diligence and care. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, June 18, 2:00 PM, at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, 2402 Cabrillo College Dr., Soquel, CA 95073, with Interment at Alta Mesa Memorial Park in Palo Alto, CA, the following day at 11:00 AM. Arrangements are under the direction of Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel, Santa Cruz, CA.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church or The American Cancer Society, Memorial Program, 1184 Monroe St, Suite 1, Salinas, CA 93906-3590.

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