James L Martin

A memorial service for Dr. James Luther Martin, Professor Emeritus of Religion at Denison University, will be held at 2:00 p.m. October 1, 2011 at the United Church of Granville, 115 W. Broadway, Granville, with Rev. Dwight Davidson officiating. A private graveside service was held at College Cemetery at Denison University.

Dr. Martin died Friday, September 16, 2011 at Kendal at Granville. He was born July 22, 1917, Lone Wolf, Oklahoma, son of James Luther Martin, Sr., and Nora Belle (Williams) Martin.

Graduate of Lone Wolf, Okla., High School, B.A., Oklahoma City University; B.D. and Ph.D., Yale University. Ford Foundation fellowship, University of Cambridge, England,, 1953-4; Fellow, American Institute of Indian Studies, Poona and Madras, India, 1963-4.

Ordained to Methodist ministry, 1942; served as associate pastor, St. John's Methodist Church, New Rochelle, NY, and as pastor of First Methodist Church, Port Jefferson, NY, 1943-46. Professor of Religion and Philosophy, Albertson College of Idaho, Caldwell, Idaho, 1946-57, Department Chairman, 1951-57. Professor of Religion, Denison University, Granville, Ohio, 1957 until retirement in 1985. Chairman of Department of Religion at Denison at various times, including the time of retirement.

His field of teaching and research was history of religions, with a special interest in the religions of South India. Spent two sabbatical leaves in India, and led several tours of India for students and others. Published articles and monographs on beliefs and practices of Vishnu worshipers of South India, and on Hindu religious festivals, and the economy and management of South Indian temples. Also did studies of Zen Buddhist and Tibetan Buddhist groups in America, and of the Unification Church and other new religions. Participated in international conferences on Asian religions, in Japan, Australia, Mexico, Sweden, France, India, Greece.

Dr. Martin was a member of American Association of University Professors, Association for Asian Studies, American Academy of Religion, Consultation on South Indian Religions, the Asian Society; American Civil Liberties Union, Sierra Club, Wilderness Society, Handgun Control Coalition, and other social action and conservation groups; Democrat. He was a retired member of West Ohio Conference, United Methodist Church; member of First Baptist Church, Granville, and a volunteer for Hospice of Central Ohio and for the State of Ohio Long-term Care Ombudsman Program.

Arrangements are in the care of McPEEK-HOEKSTRA FUNERAL HOME in Granville. To ensure family receipt, please express all online condolences at www.mcpeekhoekstra.com.