If you were a lifelong fan of John Alan Martin of Frelinghuysen, New Jersey, you were certainly in good company. As John’s family and friends said goodbye after he passed at the age of 79 on June 18, 2025, “JAM” was remembered as a devoted husband, father and grandfather (affectionately known as “Pi”), as well as an all-around wonderful person who cared deeply for those he loved.
Always committed to service—whether that be in the military, as Chairman of the Board of the nonprofit Pedals for Progress or volunteering to dress as Santa for the office holiday party—John enjoyed a successful business career that allowed he and his wife of 49 years, Susan Quackenbush Martin, to travel the world. The developer and holder of multiple patents in support of pension administration, John rose to senior vice president at JPMorgan Chase and president and CEO of Pension Benefits Services; he also served as a captain in the U.S. Army, known best by those who served alongside him for his bravery, kindness and humble nature.
Born on December 14, 1945, to John Monroe Martin and Mary Lou (Hamrick) Martin in Meridian, Texas, John grew up on a cattle ranch in nearby Morgan. He went on to graduate from Kopperl High School, where he served as class president, played baseball and ran track, was voted captain of the basketball team and was elected “friendliest.” He matriculated at Tarleton State University (TSU) in Stephenville, where he graduated with a BA in history and built friendships he cherished for life. A member of the ROTC and leader of the Wainwright Rifles Drill team at TSU, John received a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army in 1968 and went on to graduate from Infantry Officers Basic Training at Fort Benning, Georgia, as well as Parachute Training and Ranger Training (where he earned the Ranger Tab).
While serving as a platoon leader in Vietnam in the 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment and 101st Airborne Division, John was injured rappelling from a helicopter and recovered in Japan before being promoted to captain and, ultimately, earning a number of awards, including the Bronze Star, the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, the United States Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the National Defense Medal.
In 1975, following time spent training troops in Germany and at West Point, John resigned his commission and began a civilian career, starting as territory sales manager for Western Auto Supply and, later, becoming vice president at Beneficial Insurance Group, American Security Group and Chemical Bank, as well as senior vice president of Hudson Valley Financial Services and JPMorgan Chase. He and Sue met in Georgia and married in August 1975, moving to Texas, Louisiana and New Jersey, and welcoming three children: Michael John, Samuel Frederick and Susan Audrey. The Martins ultimately settled at their family home, Walnut Hill, in Frelinghuysen where they lived for 38 happy years.
John retired in 2009, surprising no one when he continued to help others with part-time work in the pharmaceutical industry. His most cherished role in his later years, however, was spending time with his five grandchildren, Hannah Audrey Martin, 15, Carly Kathryn Martin, 13, Samuel Robert Logan, 12, Owen Martin, 10, and Audrey Mary Logan, 8—all of who will remember him for teaching them to swim, fish, kayak, grill, play chess, drive the Gator and build a roaring fire in the library.
He is survived by his wife Sue and their dog Buddy; son Sam and daughter-in-law Mary (Mullane) Martin of Katonah, New York; daughter Suzy (Martin) Logan and son-in-law Zach Logan of Fredon, New Jersey; his grandchildren; his sisters Mary Heartsill and Susan Myers, brother-in-law Jim Myers, and nieces and nephews Carol Gatton Locker and Theo and William Heartsill of Walnut Springs, Texas; sister-and-brother-in-laws Lynn and Bob Bruno and niece Sarah Bruno of Glen Ellyn, Illinois; and niece Allison Sasso of Bloomfield, New Jersey. John is predeceased by his oldest son Michael John; his parents; his mother-in-law and father-in-law Robert Donald and Audrey Quackenbush; his sister-in-law Kate Sasso; and his brother-in-laws Tom Sasso and Tom Heartsill.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in John’s honor to the charity of your choice.
Services are entrusted to Newbaker Funeral Home, Blairstown, NJ