Elder James K. (Jim) Herman Sr., 90, died of natural causes at his Columbus home Friday morning, April 1, 2011.
Elder Herman was born Jan. 8, 1921, at the family home in Cambridge, Ohio, to Ammanuel J. Herman and Lavina Watts Herman. He was the youngest of 12 children and has one surviving sister. He grew up and attended schools in Cambridge, then attended Madison College in Madison, Tenn., where he graduated in 1947 with a B.S. degree in agriculture.
He married the former Charmain Manzano on Dec. 8, 1941 in Madison, Tenn. During World War II his college was interrupted and he served his country in the U.S. Army. During this time while serving his county and finishing college two boys were born.
After graduation Jim moved his family to California where he discovered his passion of educating young people and his talent in school development. While in California he taught at Lodi Academy, Sacramento Jr. Academy and Folsom High School. At Sacramento Jr. Academy he was instrumental in achieving high school status for the school and developed an extensive busing program. During their time in California a daughter and a third son were born, completing the family.
Jim received a call to head the industrial arts department of Madison College, his alma mater. He continued his role as educator/school developer as the principal of Seventh-day Adventist schools in Louisiana, Arkansas, Minnesota, North Dakota, Florida and Alabama. His students loved his sense of humor but respected his discipline.
Jim finished his service by becoming a pastor in the Seventh-day Adventist church and was ordained in 1984. He pastored churches in Arkansas, Georgia and Tennessee.
With those challenges met he retired and turned to another love, driving an 18-wheeler. He drove more than a million miles before retiring a second time. This allowed him to enjoy his golden years with his beloved wife, to be close to his children and by now the ever increasing number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. These final years were very rewarding as a member of the Columbus-Tryon SDA church and living next door to his son Ron and family.
Surviving are his wife of 69 years, Charmain Herman; four children, Elder James K.Herman Jr and Ellen of Collegedale, Tenn., Ronald W. Herman and Linda of Columbus, Jean K. Smith and Ron of Naples, Fla., and Gary R. Herman and Dawn of Arlington, Texas; 12 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his only remaining sibling, Betty Templeton of Marietta, Ohio.
Memorials may be made to Tryon SDA Church School, 2820 Lynn Road, Tryon, N.C. 28782. A memorial service will be held on April 17, 2011 at 1 p.m at the Tryon SDA Church, 2820 Lynn Road, Tryon, N.C. 28782.