James Thompson Hemphill Sr.

On Monday, March 8, James (Jim) Thompson Hemphill, Sr., loving husband and father, passed away at age 76.

He was born February 22, 1945 in Columbus, Ohio, the second of seven children born to the union of Alma L. and Robert C. Hemphill. He was raised in a Christian home and attended church regularly.

A graduate of Linden McKinley High School, he faithfully served in the United States Army. He received basic training at Ft. Sam Houston, TX., where he was elected class sergeant and earned the rank of E-3. Jim was a medic on the battlefield in Vietnam with the Seventh Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH), serving as a Pre-Op corpsman and Orthopedic Technician. He then received the rank of E-4. Jim was honorably discharged and always displayed his veteran's cap and other symbols of his military service.

Jim returned home and attended The Ohio State University, where he was a walk-on for the Buckeyes football team. He later transferred to CTI (Columbus Technical Institute, now Columbus State Community College) and earned two associate degrees, one in Architectural Drafting Technology and one in Civil Engineering.

On February 14, 1981, Jim married Sandra Lyons. They spent 40 years together and raised a healthy family. An avid sports enthusiast, he shaped young minds as a baseball coach and a soccer coach. He played on soccer teams sponsored by his employer, AEP (American Electric Power), from which he retired after 23 years..

An interest in coin collecting found Jim scouring coin shops for hours. His general interest gave way to Presidential coins and later shifted to national parks and state capitols. Jim also enjoyed state-side travel, with some of his favorite locations being Toronto; Washington, DC; Mackinac Island, MI; Branson, MO; Niagara Falls, NY; and Mill Run, PA (Fallingwater House).

Jim's greatest joy came from service to the Body of Christ, long before he was ordained as a Deacon. He was always willing to serve. Jim was known by many as "Brother Faithful."

Jim is preceded in death by his parents (Alma L. and Robert C. Hemphill) and brothers Robert C. Jr., Charles E. Sr., Phillip R. (Paula), and John Douglas. He is survived by his loving wife Sandra; children Sonya Taylor (Kirby Mitchell), Citicia Smith, James T. (Sherilynn) Jr., Jo-El, Kyla (Theo) Denanyoh, and Khoury; sister Margaret Peacock. His nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchilden will miss him dearly.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorial donations. Gifts can be forwarded to The Bridge c/o Sonya Taylor, 3096 Dresden Street, Columbus, Ohio 43224.