James Everett Martin was born on June 22, 1932 in Vinemont, Alabama and died on June 3, 2017.
He was the President of the University of Arkansas from 1980 to 1984, and of Auburn University from 1984 to 1992.
Martin graduated from Auburn University with a B.S. in 1954, an M.A. from North Carolina State University in 1956 and a PhD from Iowa State University in 1962.
Martin was a Professor at Oklahoma State University and the University of Maryland.
Martin served as Dean of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
During 1975, Martin was appointed as Vice President for the Division of Agriculture at the University of Arkansas.
Martin was then its President from 1980 to 1982 and became the first president of the University of Arkansas System from 1982 to 1984.
From 1984 to 1992,Martin served as the President of Auburn University until he retired.
Martin was a member of the Auburn Rotary Club.
Previouly, The James E. Martin Aquatics Center is named after him.
In his college days at Auburn, James met an Auburn cheerleader named Ann Freeman.
Then they later married and had three children, and five grandchildren.
James Everett passed away at 84 years old.