Funeral services for James D. Martin, 91 of Mobridge, SD will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 10:00 am at First Baptist Church in Mobridge. Interment will take place at Greenwood Cemetery, Mobridge. James died on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at Avera St. Mary's Hospital in Pierre, SD. Arrangements are under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home, Mobridge.

James Dean Martin, 91, of Mobridge, South Dakota, passed from this life to eternity on May 2, 2026. He lived a long and meaningful life marked by strength, service, encouragement, and instruction.

James was born on June 17, 1934, to Gottlieb and Frieda (Schmidt) Martin on a homestead near Mound City, South Dakota. He was the fourth oldest of a family of 13 children. As a child, Jim worked on the farm and attended school in Herreid, South Dakota. In high school he participated in a variety of activities including football and debate. He discovered his love and talent for singing and joined a quartet with friend, and later brother-in-law, Jerry Quenzer. They traveled to state competitions and continued singing together long after high school. He graduated from Herreid High School in 1952.

Coming of Age – Immediately after high school, Jim enlisted in the Navy Armed Forces and was stationed at Quonset Point, Rhode Island, where he served as Chief Petty Officer, repairing anti-submarine airplanes. While in the service he married his high school sweetheart, Gloria Bollinger. They welcomed two children, Penny in 1954 and Scott in 1956. After his honorable discharge from the Navy in June 1955, they relocated to Brookings, South Dakota where Jim received his degree from South Dakota State compliments of the GI Bill.

Professional Life - After graduating college, Jim began work at Sears, Roebuck & Company as a district manager for stores located in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana. After living in North Dakota and Minnesota as district store manager he was promoted to buyer and relocated to the Chicago area to work in the Sears corporate office based in Chicago. This opportunity allowed Jim to travel the world to China, Hong Kong, Japan, and India to purchase goods and services for the home. He married Carol Griffin in July 1985 and then Linda Christian in February of 1998.

Still working full-time, Jim decided to embark on a new endeavor to fulfill his childhood dream to become an attorney. He attended John Marshall Law School in Chicago and completed his law program in three years. Jim would use his law degree to start his own business to assist individuals and families in underprivileged communities in Chicago. Next, he embarked on a 5-year partnership with John McCulloh, creating Martin & McCulloh Associates. During these years he also purchased a small manufacturing facility which produced specialty lead hammers. This satisfied his creative side and entertained his grandchildren, Joshua and Jennifer, for endless hours.

In 2014, Jim decided to move back to Mobridge, South Dakota. He served as an attorney for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe in Eagle Butte, South Dakota. He held two positions with the tribe. First, he served as public prosecutor and then as public defender. Jim worked full-time until May 2024, shortly before his 90th birthday, when an accident at work changed his life. Jim retired from the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe in October 2024.

Family Life – Jim loved spending time with his siblings and their families at gatherings and family reunions. Whether it was hunting or golfing, Jim was in attendance. He loved being a father and spoke often about how proud he was of his children and their accomplishments. He spent dedicated time nurturing his grandson, Joshua, and granddaughter, Jennifer. This brought him so much joy over the years. He was overjoyed with pride when he became great-grandfather to Olivia MacKenzie in 2020, Austin James in 2023, and Jacob Wesley in 2025.

Outside interests – Jim enjoyed civic and veterans’ clubs throughout his life and was especially pleased to speak at the Mobridge cemetery Memorial Day service several years ago. He was an active member of the churches he attended over the years and served as a deacon, Sunday School teacher, youth group leader and occasionally as a guest speaker. He especially enjoyed singing in the choir and singing duets and solos. These past years he joined the First Baptist Church of Mobridge where Rev. Gary Street is the Pastor. He absolutely loved being a part of the Sunday School class there and having lunch with some of his friends after church. The last song he sang to the congregation was “I Know A Man Who Can.” Several weeks before his last hospitalization he was talking with his children over the phone and said Linda had taken him to church that morning and they had gone to lunch afterwards, and even though he was weak and speech was difficult, he proclaimed that “It was a very good day.” He regularly said that every day is a gift and his life was “in the good Lord’s hands.” Today that is truer than ever.

Jim is survived by his wife, Linda Martin, and was previously married to Carol Griffin Miller and Gloria Bollinger Martin. He is also survived by his two children: Penny (Eric) Bredemeier Kirchner of Spotsylvania, Virginia, and Scott Martin of New York City, New York. He is also survived by his two grandchildren Joshua (Michelle) Bredemeier, and Jennifer (Trenton) Van Oss and three great-grandchildren Olivia, Austin, and Jacob. Jim is survived by siblings Duane (Judy) Martin, Bonita Quenzer, Larry (Judy) Martin, Jerry (Kitty) Martin, Davis (Wanda) Martin, Tom (Jean) Martin, Jackie Hansen, and Steve (Sherri) Martin. He is also survived by many precious nieces and nephews and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents and by siblings and in-laws Betty and Wilfred Vander Vorst, Shirlene and Jack Starkey, Maynard and Claire Martin, Carol and George Fellows, Mary Ann Martin, and Jerry Quenzer.