Jim C. Martinson, co-founder & president of Istachatta Htg & AC, Inc., passed away in his sleep Sunday morning, August 5th, 2012. To say he will be missed would be the understatement of the century! He touched so many lives - gave to so many - helped so many folks whether it was through a lowered or "no-charge" bill while on a service call or through his wonderful music and songs like "Where Will You Be?" We can't count the many customers who had him sing one of his songs while on a service call or at a yard sale!
He is survived by his best friend, partner & wife, Marilee; adopted mom & dad; Jim & Margaret Hammon of Brooksville, his sisters; Betty (husband Tom) Quattlebaum of Savannah, Georgia, Jeannie Cochran of Fox Hollow, Kentucky; daughters Tina Martinson in Georgia and Heather Martinson in Spring Hill, Florida & son James.
Jim was born January 6th, 1944 to parents, Alexander & Martha Lee Martinson in Tampa, Florida near the Lowry Park area. He ran around with long-time friends, Jack & Sharon Voyles. And, thanks to JK (Jerry) Johns he learned metal fabrication and quality air conditioning service & repair in his early 20's, which he did for over 50 years from Florida to Georgia, the Carolinas & Kentucky returning to Croom-a-Coochee, Florida in the 90's, ending up in Istachatta, Florida in 2002.
He loved to tell the story of how he went to Istachatta just to "get some fish" at the local Friday Night Fish Fry at the Istachatta General Store with his mom & daughter, Tina - and ended up getting married to one of the porch singers, Marilee! Over the next six years he entertained hundreds of folks from that front porch as a founding member (along with Tom & Joan Ledford, Ray & Deborah Dickinson, Bob & Louise Frost, Jan & Larry Ladd) of "The Back Porch Pickers Gospel Bluegrass Band" performing at many other venues such as the Kumquat Growers Association Open House, Cloverleaf Farms and Highpoint Fireman's Auxillary to mention only a few...
Jim has written over 250 songs - 10 of which are recorded and are listed on CDBaby online at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/JimMarilee with a registered copyright in the United States Library of Congress. Also listed with the USLoC is his book "Watch Out for AC Bandits - You Could Be Robbed Without a Gun!" He had a passion for helping others which was his inspiration for writing the book.
In lieu of flowers please donate to Sertoma Youth Ranch in Brooksville, Florida to help "raise the pavilion" at http://sertomayouthranch.org/Donations.html. The hard-working volunteers at Sertoma help so many folks - especially children and the disabled year-round!
A "Homegoing" memorial service will be held 10am, Saturday morning, on August 18th at the Istachatta Community Center on Lingle Road, right across the parking lot from the Istachatta General Store (now Trailside Treasures). And for those needing to get to the special jam on time with Miz Irene - the service should only be about 20 minutes!
For those who would like to stay and visit after the short service by long-time friend & preacher-man at Jim's church - Floral City Church of Christ - Steve Heneghan - just bring a dish and we'll visit awhile and tell tall tales of Jim's wonderful life, crazy sense of humor, yard sale "treasures & collections" and especially of his lifetime of helping his fellow man (and woman!)
He is survived by his best friend, partner & wife, Marilee; adopted mom & dad; Jim & Margaret Hammon of Brooksville, his sisters; Betty (husband Tom) Quattlebaum of Savannah, Georgia, Jeannie Cochran of Fox Hollow, Kentucky; daughters Tina Martinson in Georgia and Heather Martinson in Spring Hill, Florida & son James.
Jim was born January 6th, 1944 to parents, Alexander & Martha Lee Martinson in Tampa, Florida near the Lowry Park area. He ran around with long-time friends, Jack & Sharon Voyles. And, thanks to JK (Jerry) Johns he learned metal fabrication and quality air conditioning service & repair in his early 20's, which he did for over 50 years from Florida to Georgia, the Carolinas & Kentucky returning to Croom-a-Coochee, Florida in the 90's, ending up in Istachatta, Florida in 2002.
He loved to tell the story of how he went to Istachatta just to "get some fish" at the local Friday Night Fish Fry at the Istachatta General Store with his mom & daughter, Tina - and ended up getting married to one of the porch singers, Marilee! Over the next six years he entertained hundreds of folks from that front porch as a founding member (along with Tom & Joan Ledford, Ray & Deborah Dickinson, Bob & Louise Frost, Jan & Larry Ladd) of "The Back Porch Pickers Gospel Bluegrass Band" performing at many other venues such as the Kumquat Growers Association Open House, Cloverleaf Farms and Highpoint Fireman's Auxillary to mention only a few...
Jim has written over 250 songs - 10 of which are recorded and are listed on CDBaby online at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/JimMarilee with a registered copyright in the United States Library of Congress. Also listed with the USLoC is his book "Watch Out for AC Bandits - You Could Be Robbed Without a Gun!" He had a passion for helping others which was his inspiration for writing the book.
In lieu of flowers please donate to Sertoma Youth Ranch in Brooksville, Florida to help "raise the pavilion" at http://sertomayouthranch.org/Donations.html. The hard-working volunteers at Sertoma help so many folks - especially children and the disabled year-round!
A "Homegoing" memorial service will be held 10am, Saturday morning, on August 18th at the Istachatta Community Center on Lingle Road, right across the parking lot from the Istachatta General Store (now Trailside Treasures). And for those needing to get to the special jam on time with Miz Irene - the service should only be about 20 minutes!
For those who would like to stay and visit after the short service by long-time friend & preacher-man at Jim's church - Floral City Church of Christ - Steve Heneghan - just bring a dish and we'll visit awhile and tell tall tales of Jim's wonderful life, crazy sense of humor, yard sale "treasures & collections" and especially of his lifetime of helping his fellow man (and woman!)
Jim C. Martinson, co-founder & president of Istachatta Htg & AC, Inc., passed away in his sleep Sunday morning, August 5th, 2012. To say he will be missed would be the understatement of the century! He touched so many lives - gave to so many - helped so many folks whether it was through a lowered or "no-charge" bill while on a service call or through his wonderful music and songs like "Where Will You Be?" We can't count the many customers who had him sing one of his songs while on a service call or at a yard sale!
He is survived by his best friend, partner & wife, Marilee; adopted mom & dad; Jim & Margaret Hammon of Brooksville, his sisters; Betty (husband Tom) Quattlebaum of Savannah, Georgia, Jeannie Cochran of Fox Hollow, Kentucky; daughters Tina Martinson in Georgia and Heather Martinson in Spring Hill, Florida & son James.
Jim was born January 6th, 1944 to parents, Alexander & Martha Lee Martinson in Tampa, Florida near the Lowry Park area. He ran around with long-time friends, Jack & Sharon Voyles. And, thanks to JK (Jerry) Johns he learned metal fabrication and quality air conditioning service & repair in his early 20's, which he did for over 50 years from Florida to Georgia, the Carolinas & Kentucky returning to Croom-a-Coochee, Florida in the 90's, ending up in Istachatta, Florida in 2002.
He loved to tell the story of how he went to Istachatta just to "get some fish" at the local Friday Night Fish Fry at the Istachatta General Store with his mom & daughter, Tina - and ended up getting married to one of the porch singers, Marilee! Over the next six years he entertained hundreds of folks from that front porch as a founding member (along with Tom & Joan Ledford, Ray & Deborah Dickinson, Bob & Louise Frost, Jan & Larry Ladd) of "The Back Porch Pickers Gospel Bluegrass Band" performing at many other venues such as the Kumquat Growers Association Open House, Cloverleaf Farms and Highpoint Fireman's Auxillary to mention only a few...
Jim has written over 250 songs - 10 of which are recorded and are listed on CDBaby online at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/JimMarilee with a registered copyright in the United States Library of Congress. Also listed with the USLoC is his book "Watch Out for AC Bandits - You Could Be Robbed Without a Gun!" He had a passion for helping others which was his inspiration for writing the book.
In lieu of flowers please donate to Sertoma Youth Ranch in Brooksville, Florida to help "raise the pavilion" at http://sertomayouthranch.org/Donations.html. The hard-working volunteers at Sertoma help so many folks - especially children and the disabled year-round!
A "Homegoing" memorial service will be held 10am, Saturday morning, on August 18th at the Istachatta Community Center on Lingle Road, right across the parking lot from the Istachatta General Store (now Trailside Treasures). And for those needing to get to the special jam on time with Miz Irene - the service should only be about 20 minutes!
For those who would like to stay and visit after the short service by long-time friend & preacher-man at Jim's church - Floral City Church of Christ - Steve Heneghan - just bring a dish and we'll visit awhile and tell tall tales of Jim's wonderful life, crazy sense of humor, yard sale "treasures & collections" and especially of his lifetime of helping his fellow man (and woman!)
He is survived by his best friend, partner & wife, Marilee; adopted mom & dad; Jim & Margaret Hammon of Brooksville, his sisters; Betty (husband Tom) Quattlebaum of Savannah, Georgia, Jeannie Cochran of Fox Hollow, Kentucky; daughters Tina Martinson in Georgia and Heather Martinson in Spring Hill, Florida & son James.
Jim was born January 6th, 1944 to parents, Alexander & Martha Lee Martinson in Tampa, Florida near the Lowry Park area. He ran around with long-time friends, Jack & Sharon Voyles. And, thanks to JK (Jerry) Johns he learned metal fabrication and quality air conditioning service & repair in his early 20's, which he did for over 50 years from Florida to Georgia, the Carolinas & Kentucky returning to Croom-a-Coochee, Florida in the 90's, ending up in Istachatta, Florida in 2002.
He loved to tell the story of how he went to Istachatta just to "get some fish" at the local Friday Night Fish Fry at the Istachatta General Store with his mom & daughter, Tina - and ended up getting married to one of the porch singers, Marilee! Over the next six years he entertained hundreds of folks from that front porch as a founding member (along with Tom & Joan Ledford, Ray & Deborah Dickinson, Bob & Louise Frost, Jan & Larry Ladd) of "The Back Porch Pickers Gospel Bluegrass Band" performing at many other venues such as the Kumquat Growers Association Open House, Cloverleaf Farms and Highpoint Fireman's Auxillary to mention only a few...
Jim has written over 250 songs - 10 of which are recorded and are listed on CDBaby online at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/JimMarilee with a registered copyright in the United States Library of Congress. Also listed with the USLoC is his book "Watch Out for AC Bandits - You Could Be Robbed Without a Gun!" He had a passion for helping others which was his inspiration for writing the book.
In lieu of flowers please donate to Sertoma Youth Ranch in Brooksville, Florida to help "raise the pavilion" at http://sertomayouthranch.org/Donations.html. The hard-working volunteers at Sertoma help so many folks - especially children and the disabled year-round!
A "Homegoing" memorial service will be held 10am, Saturday morning, on August 18th at the Istachatta Community Center on Lingle Road, right across the parking lot from the Istachatta General Store (now Trailside Treasures). And for those needing to get to the special jam on time with Miz Irene - the service should only be about 20 minutes!
For those who would like to stay and visit after the short service by long-time friend & preacher-man at Jim's church - Floral City Church of Christ - Steve Heneghan - just bring a dish and we'll visit awhile and tell tall tales of Jim's wonderful life, crazy sense of humor, yard sale "treasures & collections" and especially of his lifetime of helping his fellow man (and woman!)
