1921-2009

St. George, UT – James Franklin Martineau, 87 years old, passed away on September 19, 2009 in St. George, Utah. He was born December 7, 1921 in Colonia Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico to Josephine Thurston and Theodore Martineau . He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, five sisters, and his son, Jean Francis Martineau. He was the last living grandson of James Henry Martineau, an early Mormon Pioneer. He was married to Yvonne Leatrice Gingras in Nueva Casa Grande, Chihuahua, Mexico on May 22, 1946 and sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple on June 19, 1954. Jim Grew up in Utah while also spending time in Mexico and graduating in 1940 from Yakima High School in Washington State. He went to enlist in the military on “Pearl Harbor Day”, his 21st birthday. He served throughout WWII as a Navy Corpsman in the Asiatic Pacific. He was a life member of the American Legion and Veteran of Foreign Wars. After the war he started raising a family in Yakima while working as a body and fender man. Later his career included working for Boeing in Seattle. He retired as the Supervisor of Maintenance and Operations for the Auburn School District. He also served as a City Councilman and numerous positions in the LDS Church and Community. His church work included a mission to the Muckleshoot Indian Reservation where a new branch was established as a result of his labors. Jim always gave freely of his time to help others and enjoyed hard physical work, playing in their outdoors and gardening. He also particularly enjoyed dancing with his wife over their 63 years of marriage. During retirement they were avid members of a dance group and enjoyed traveling by car and hiking in the mountains. He was blessed with a very active life and opportunities to serve until the day he departed. His warm smile and ever present love will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife, Yvonne; and children: Theodore Martineau (Sandy), Lori Ann Enkerud (David), Joel Wayne Martineau, Mark James Martineau (Caitlin), Melodee Yvonne Brown (Jeffery); as well as 16 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 26, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. at the Snow Canyon North LDS 4th Branch Chapel, 1610 N. Dixie Downs Road, St. George, Utah. Visitation will be held Saturday from 12:00 to 12:45 p.m. at the chapel, prior to services. Interment will be at the Tonaquint Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Metcalf Mortuary, 435-673-4221.