James Virgil

Martin, Jr.

James Virgil (J.V.) Martin, Jr. passed away on May 20, 2025 at the age of 80.  J.V. was born July 11,1944 in Coleman, Texas to James V. Martin, Sr. and Lucille Yates Martin. A celebration of life will be held at 10:30am, Saturday, May 31, 2025 at First Baptist Church, Sweetwater.

J.V. married to his high school sweetheart, best friend, and number one encourager, Betty Neves Martin on September 11,1965 and they were married for 59 years. J.V. was a strong believer in his Christian faith.  Baptized as a youth at Lamar Street Baptist Church Sweetwater.  He was ordained as a Deacon at First Baptist Abilene and served as Chairman of the Deacons, Trustee, and Chairman of the Church Foundation at First Baptist Sweetwater. J.V. attended Texas Tech University majoring in finance.  He was also a graduate of Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University. J.V. proudly served as a member, chairman, or president of many organizations including, Chairman of the Hendrick Health Board of Trustees, Chairman of the Board of Regents at Texas State Technical College, President of Taylor County Expo Center and numerous other organizations. A banking career of more than 48 years in Lubbock, El Paso, Abilene, and retiring as CEO of First Financial Bank in Sweetwater. He loved the cattle business and served as bank officer for many of the large ranchers and cattlemen in the Big Country.

As a youth, J.V. showed Hereford cattle for J. Paul Turner and Angus cattle for Ray Booth, both of Nolan County. He was the youngest member of the Nolan County Livestock Team that represented the State of Texas as the American Royal National Livestock Judging in Kansas City. J.V. and Betty enjoyed traveling to several countries and through every major city in the United States with their three grandchildren.  J.V. especially enjoyed Christmas time at the Rock House. After retirement J.V. and Betty built a new home and had a small cattle operation in Fisher County.

J.V. was preceded in Death by this father, J.V. Martin Sr. and his mother Lucille Yates Martin, his sister, Sue Martin Lambert, his nephew Sammy Lambert, his father-in-law, H.T Neves, and his mother-in-law, Inez Neves. He is survived by his wife Betty, his two wonderful daughters Jamie Looney (Mike) of Abernathy, TX , Jana Bearden (Jay) of Decatur, TX, granddaughter Savannah Bearden of Dallas, TX, grandsons Michael Looney (Julie) of Abernathy, TX and Jackson Bearden of Austin, TX, great granddaughters, RaeLynn and Kinsley Looney, great grandson McCoy Looney of Abernathy, TX, niece Mona Lambert, nephew Scott Lambert, and brother-in-law Raymond Lambert of Sweetwater.

J.V. requested his body be willed to the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center for the advancement of medical science and the study for a cure of pulmonary fibrosis.

Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Bud Alldredge, Lawson Allen, Randy Carson, Roy Rivas, Garland Brock, Michael Looney and Jackson Bearden.

A special thanks to Dr. Edwards and staff at Hendrick Medical Center and to the staff at Hendrick Hospice Center.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hendrick Health Foundation (PO Box 1922, Abilene, TX 79604) or West Texas Rehab Foundation (4601 Hartford, Abilene, TX 79605).

Visitation will follow the service in the Fellowship Hall of First Baptist Church, Sweetwater.