Francis James "Jim" Martin, 81, of Underwood, ND, died March 31, 2022 at St. Alexius Health, Bismarck. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 5, 2022 at St. Bonaventure's Catholic Church in Underwood with Father Patrick Cunningham officiating. Interment will be held in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held on Monday at the church from 5 to 7 p.m. followed by a 7 p.m. vigil service.  The Mass of Christian Burial will be livestreamed at the bottom of Jim's obituary on this page.

Jim was born January 5, 1941 in Washburn the son of Frank and Aleda (Yunker) Martin.  They lived in Underwood where he graduated from high school in 1959.  Jim was an outstanding athlete who competed in football, basketball and baseball.  He attended Bismarck State College for two years and then married Marg Petersen on July 29, 1961 at St. Bonaventure's Catholic Church.  He later attended Minot State College where he graduated from in 1962 with a degree in teaching.  Jim taught and coached at Bainville, MT and Philipsburg, MT before accepting a position with the Underwood School. He was a teacher, principal and coach in Underwood until 1980.  He worked on the Coal Creek plant as it was being built and later became employed with Cooperative Power.  He started at the bottom and worked his way up to an upper management position until retiring at the age of 68.

Jim and his wife, Marg of 61 years spent their entire married life attending sporting events of their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  He never gave false praise for a so-so outing but gave constructive criticism and worked with them to achieve higher goals.  He also enjoyed playing cards, goose and deer hunting and fishing, especially ice fishing.

Jim is survived by his wife, Marg of Underwood; his children, Toni (Blaine) Erhardt of Bismarck, Jay (Paula) Martin of Billings, MT, Gary Martin of Underwood and Robert (Kristi) Martin of Bismarck; his grandchildren, Justin (Megan), Tim (Danielle), Kayla, Cody (Ali), Taylor, Sydni and Brett; his great grandchildren, Caleb, Blake, Lauren, Alex, Audrey and Emery; his sister, Ruby (Denny) Portra of Underwood; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Wayne (Julie) Petersen of Washburn, Connie (Jerry) Serhienko of Mandan and Remo Cerruti of Freemont, CA and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Patrick James Martin; his sister and brother-in-law, Barbara (Mike) Wilson; a brother in infancy, Franklin Perry Martin; a sister-in-law, Adelle Cerruti.