John Jex Martin

John Jex Martin, 74, longtime editor of the Catholic Press Co.here, died yesterday at Mount Vernon, Wash.

He had lived at Burlington, Wash., since he retired 12 yearsago. He was born in Detroit and spent most of his adult life inChicago.

Mr. Martin was with Catholic Press, which was affiliated withCuneo Press, for about 25 years. He translated a number of books,including the Bible, for Catholic Press. He also wrote book reviewsfor the Chicago Sun-Times.

Before joining Catholic Press, Mr. Martin was a professor atLoyola University and taught French there. He could speak fivelanguages fluently.

He received his bachelor's and master's degrees at Loyola. Healso studied at the Sorbonne in Paris, the University of Madrid andthe University of Munich. He was in the Army during World War II,serving as an interpreter with the Signal Corps in Europe.

Surviving are his wife, Janice; two daughters, SuzanneJedlicka, wife of Dan Jedlicka, the Sun-Times auto editor, and JudithNeff; two sons, Robert and Michael, and seven grandchildren.

Mass will be offered at 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. CharlesCatholic Church, Burlington, Wash. Burial will be in the BurlingtonCemetery.