James  Edward (Jimmy) Martin, 51, Jacksonville, Arkansas and formerly of Olney, died at 6 a.m. April 17, 1984 in Baptist Hospital in Little Rock, Ark., as the result of injuries received in a race car accident in Jacksonville.

Jim suffered head injuries in a sprint car race April 14, 1984 at I-30 Speedway in Little Rock.  He died the following Tuesday, April 17. It was suspected that the injuries may have been caused by his eight-year-old helmet, which had been damaged from other accidents.

Services in Summers Funeral Home, Olney, Illinois with Rev. LeRoy Pittman presiding.  Burial in Haven Hill Cemetery’s Memorial Gardens  with military graveside rites by Olney Veterans organizations.

Mr. Martin was born July 9, 1932 in Sumner, the son of Fern Martin.  He was an employee of the Air Force Base in Little Rock.  (T Sgt – U.S.  Air Force – Vietnam)

Survivors include his wife, Betty;  four sons, David, Houston, TX; Steve, Todd and James, Jr. all of Jacksonville, Ark.; a daughter, Valinda Martin, Houston, TX; his mother, Fern Peneton, Olney; a grandchild and several nieces, nephews; aunts and uncles.

Published in Olney Daily Mail (IL) & National Speed Sports News – issue of April 25, 1984