James Martin Obituary, Death – James Vincent Martin, 73, of Portage died suddenly on Thursday, October 26, 2023. He was born in Gary, IN, to John A. Martin, Sr. and Norma Leitha (Dailey) Martin on January 17, 1950. Jim played four years of baseball at Portage High School before graduating in 1968.
At 11, Jim started running the “Mouse Game” at carnivals for the family-owned business, which delighted Jim and his customers. For years, Jim ran the “Mouse Game” at carnivals while working at their family business, Portage Rental, U-Haul, and Classy Chassis in Valparaiso with his brother Tom.
Jim spent his free time with his family, playing Monopoly, golfing, attending the Indy 500, watching Westerns, and cheering for the Chicago Cubs. Jim made friends everywhere because he was nice and extroverted. He was kind and generous, helping anyone in need. All who knew Jim will miss him as a wonderful husband and father.
Jim married his soulmate, Jean Kuta, in New Buffalo, MI, on January 25, 1986. She survives him, along with their children, Megan Martin and Matthew (Sam Bynum) Martin, both of Portage; siblings, Kathleen (Joe) Cappello and Thomas D. (Laura A.) Martin; sisters-in-law, Judy Martin and Debra Martin; brothers-in-law, Joe (Candace) Kuta, Andrew (Theresa) Kuta, and John (Sonya) Kuta; beloved dog, Sonic; and many loving nieces, His brothers John A. Martin Jr. and Robert A. Martin and his great uncle James Pope Hudgins, Jim’s second father, died before him.
