Obituary: MARTINSON, JAMES

James Thomas Martinson1955 ~ 2013James Thomas Martinson, beloved son, brother, nephew, uncle and cousin, died peacefully on October 16, 2013, surrounded by family and friends. He bravely battled cancer for the past five years. James was born April 23, 1955 in Salt Lake City to Donald Owen and Donna Curtis Martinson. He is survived by his mother, Donna, four siblings -- Pamela Martinson, Jon Martinson (Hinano), Dana Mariea, Donald Martinson Jr. (Sheila) his Aunt Donna Curtis, 14 nieces and nephews and 9 cousins. He is preceded in death by his father, Donald Owen Sr., and his daughter, Nancy Jane Martinson.James had a very challenging life, but he was always optimistic, making people of all sorts feel welcome and understood. Although his own life was troubled, he never complained about the cards he was dealt in this mortal existence. Diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder in his early twenties, the science was nothing like it is today in terms of treatment. Thus, our beautiful boy would go hither and yon, from brilliant insights to bouts of creative irrationality that none of us was quite capable of understanding or helping.One thing is clear to everyone who knew James: he was the kindest and most trusting individual imaginable. His "beautiful mind" took him, and us, to many untraveled places. He was a songwriter, guitarist, poet, mystic, and avid reader of everything from Kerouac's On the Road, to the Book of Mormon and to the Bhagavad-Gita. His love and knowledge of the Beatles rivaled anyone's. All of us are so blessed to have known and loved this amazing, innocent, witty and intelligent child of God. We will miss him, but we all know that he is romping about somewhere, released from the pain he has suffered for so long, and just being the James we have always loved and forever will.At James' request, there will be no funeral service. A celebration of his life with family and close friends will be held on November 2nd. The family wishes to thank Avalon Rehabilitation Center and the countless nurses, aides and staff who have taken such good and compassionate care of James for the past years.In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in James' name to NAMI or the American Cancer Society.