Jim Martin’s last wish — Resthaven Cemetary

Hi, my name is Art Martin. I am Jim Martin’s nephew. I have been living with Jim for about 8 years now. 

Today, we live in Dickinson, Tx, in my deceased sister’s house. Tammy Martin-Luedecke. She passed Jan. 6th, 2022 suddenly from a massive stroke. I have been care taking for both of them for over 3 years now. These past 13 months for just Jim, by myself.

Jim has end stage COPD. He also fractured a vertebrae about a month ago, and this has accelerated his decline. He’s been out of the hospital for about a month. He no longer eats, or gets out of bed, except for brief times in his recliner.  Oxygen required 24/7.

I had to start hospice care at home about 3 weeks ago. I could no longer provide the level of care he needed on my own.  

Jim’s first wish is to die at home. As comfortably as possible. I’m doing everything in my power to keep him comfortable, loved, and honor his wish.  

His only last wish is to be buried in Lubbock where he grew up and his parents are buried. Resthaven Cemetery.  

Neither of us have the financial resources to make this happen.  Jim has no life insurance or savings.  I stopped working and used all my savings  so I could care for both Jim and my sister, Tammy.   It was what they needed and I was willing.

I love Jim like a big brother, and do everything I can for him. I’m praying I can make it possible, through this fund raising, to honor Jim’s last wish  - to be buried in Lubbock.

If you can contribute to Jim’s funeral expenses, that would be a huge blessing. Geez it’s expensive!!! $15,000 will barely cover a basic burial.  

If your not in a position to donate, you can still help Jim.  Just share this fund raiser with others who have the ability to contribute and do it because they love people.  

At the very least, keep Jim in your prayers, and ask God to bring him home peacefully and comfortably.  

Soon, He will be the arms of Jesus and experience complete healing of his lungs.

As the apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 1:21 “For me to live is Christ, to die is gain.’ Paul also wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:8 “We are confident , I say, rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord”. 

Jim knows this today. He knows as soon as his earthly body dies, his spirit is immediately with the Lord. Never to gasp for breath again.

God only knows how many more hours or days Jim has left on this earth. It doesn’t look long to me. However, I want to be prepared to honor his last wish. 

God willing, with your help, we can bury him in Lubbock.

Thank you for all the love and prayers that continue to be shared with Jim on Facebook, and with me. May God bless you for your kindness and generosity.

 Art

If you want to email me, it’s [email redacted].