Dr. James Edward Erwin, 71 of Collegedale, went to sleep in Jesus on
Tuesday, June 19, 2018, after a 14 year courageous battle with
Alzheimer’s.
Jim was born on
June 24, 1946 in Greene County, near the town of Erwin, TN (named after a
relative). His dream was to be a professional baseball player.
A doctor friend offered to pay his way through medical school but Jim felt
called to be a Minister. After graduating from Fletcher Academy in
North Carolina, in 1964, he attended Southern Missionary College, now
Southern Adventist University, where he received his BA in Theology in
1968.
He volunteered
for the U.S. Army, training at Fort Campbell, KY and at Fort Sam Houston,
TX. Jim married Andrea just 13 days before he left for Vietnam,
serving as a Combat Medic (1-AO) with the 11th Armored Calvary Regiment,
K- Troop. Jim returned home one year later and finished his duties
at Fort Carson, CO.
Jim completed
his Master of Divinity at Andrews University in 1975 and a Doctor of
Ministry from Vanderbilt University in 1981. He was working on two
other Doctorates simultaneously, one in Communication from UTK and in
Leadership from Andrews, when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2004.
Jim was employed
as a Minister with the Georgia-Cumberland Conference of Seventh-day
Adventists for 32 years. He was also an Adjunct Professor at
Southern Adventist University for 10 years, teaching Public Speaking.
Jim also taught Dale Carnegie Courses. He loved watching people grow
with confidence. Jim was a member of Toastmasters International,
winning numerous awards and served as an officer and Area Governor.
As a member of the International Christian Magicians, he did illusions
for children’s sermons, keeping the wonderment of young and old. Jim
was also a member of the National Fellowship of Storytellers, his
storytelling was impeccable, always intriguing and everyone loved to hear
him speak. He was brilliant and a member of the Mensa International,
holding conversations with the most intelligent and yet turn right around
and explain the same thing so a child could understand.
Jim was preceded
in death by his parents, Elmer and Waitsie Erwin and his sister, Sue
Fahrney.
He is survived
by his loving and devoted wife of 49 years, Andrea; two daughters, Kristin
(Bud) Emmer and Michelle Erwin (Lea Harlan); granddaughter, Abigail Emmer;
two step-grandsons, BJ (Lacey) Emmer and Sean (Amber) Emmer; three
step-great-grandsons, Noah, Isaac and Luke. Jim is also survived by
his “daughter”, Rebecca (Shawn) Benson and “granddaughters”, Ella and
Sophia.
A Celebration of
Life service will be held at 11 AM Monday, June 25, in the funeral home
chapel with John Swafford, Clifford Port, Bill Young and Lyle Petry
speaking at the service. Interment will follow at 1 PM Monday at the
Chattanooga National Cemetery.
Jim’s family
wishes to say thank you to Dr. Matthew Kodsi, MD, our caregivers and to
Avalon Hospice, who helped us through this “long goodbye”.
