JAMES EVERETT MARTENS
Nov. 18, 1946–Sept. 30, 2025
On Sept. 30, 2025, James Everett Martens, our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, saddled up one last time and rode on to greener pastures. His humor stayed with him up until the end — when asked what he had done at the hospital that day, he’d say, “Oh, just punching dogies.”
James Everett Martens, 78, was born on Nov. 18, 1946, in Newcastle, Wyoming, to Henry Lee and Thelma (Slagle) Martens. He grew up in a ranching family near Upton alongside his sister, Judy, working and hunting in his early years. He graduated from Upton High School in 1965 and later attended the University of Wyoming before enlisting in the Navy, serving as a weatherman during the Vietnam conflict in the Gulf of Tonkin.
After returning to Wyoming, Jim married Katharine Dunn in 1971. They made their home in Upton, where daughters Megan and Myla were born.
In 1979, Jim married Kathleen (Baker) Turner, gaining two more children, Jason and Alysha, whom he loved as his own. He worked at the Black Thunder Mine for over 30 years, known to many as “Marty Martens.” He served as a trainer, crew boss, and safety man, surviving a battle with colon cancer in 1995 before retiring in 2002.
Jim and Kathy fulfilled a lifelong dream by purchasing the X-Ring Ranch from his father. Through decades of hard work, droughts, and lean times, they achieved Centennial Ranch status in 2014, celebrating 100 years of Martens family ranching. Jim embraced the cowboy way of life — working cattle, training horses, and sharing ranch life with friends and neighbors. After mining, he also worked in wind energy, using his ranch background to connect with landowners on projects across the country.
Though proud of his work, Jim’s greatest joy came as a grandfather. He convinced his grandkids he was the “king” and made them salute him, paid them a dollar if they remembered his phone number, and never failed to buy them concessions at ball games with his trademark motto, “You fly, I’ll buy.” He took them on trips to historic places, told countless stories, and showered them with love. In his last months, as he faced terminal cancer, he shared his treasures and made every moment count with family.
Jim is survived by his wife of 48 years, Kathy; children, Jason Turner of Upton, Wyoming, Alysha (Ryan) Engle of Newcastle, Megan (Malcolm) Martens-Haworth of Spokane, Washington, and Myla (Justin) Mills of Upton; 14 grandchildren, Bailey, Trenton, Triston, Sawyer, Nolan, Ethan, Slade, Hailey, Tate, Chase, Maddie, Paige, Olivia and Elise; and two great-grandchildren, Ledger and Everett, with one on the way; brother-in-law, Don Bartels and his boys; and sisters-in-law, Cindy (Jeff) Gardner, and Angela “Doc” Baker.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Thelma; his sister, Judy; and in-laws, Jim and Fern Baker and George Baker.
Please join us in celebrating Jim’s life on Saturday, Oct. 11, at 10:30 a.m. at the Upton Community Center, with luncheon to follow. Condolences may be sent to the family in care of Meridian Mortuary, 111 S. Railway Ave., Newcastle, WY, 82701 or expressions of sympathy may also be made online at meridianmortuary.com.