James Hoerner

JAMES LEROY HOERNER, PH.D.

Central City

1936 2017

James (Jim) Leroy Hoerner passed away at his home on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in South Carolina while in hospice care from a lingering heart condition.

Jim was born Jan. 6, 1936, at Finley Hospital in Dubuque, Iowa, the son of Allan (Bud) and Emily Marie (Barmeier) Hoerner. In his early life, the family moved to a farm south of Central City, Iowa, where he attended the Bunker Hill one-room country school before obtaining his high school degree in Central City in 1954. He married Judith Ann Wyatt of Marion, Iowa, on Sept. 9. 1955, at Marion Baptist Church. From this union three children were born: Deborah K. (Kevin) Buchanan, Mark A (Doreen) Hoerner and Steven J. (Katarina) Hoerner. Jim later married Joyce (Stephens) Fairbairn in Miami, Fla., in 1973.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Natalie (Leo) Smith; a younger brother, Harry (JoAnn Fuller) Hoerner; and stepson, Andrew Fairbairn.

He is survived by Judith (Wyatt) Smyth; his wife, Joyce Hoerner; one brother, Dr. Thomas A. Hoerner of Boone, Iowa; his three children; one grandchild, Nicole M. Robitaille; one great-grandchild, Madison P. Tyus; and two stepsons, Stephen and Michael Fairbairn and their families.

Jim attended Iowa State University and received his B.S. degree in industrial education in 1958. He continued his education with a master's degree in education from California State University in 1963 and a Ph.D. in vocational education from Ohio State University in 1969. He taught industrial education at the high school level and vocational education at the community college and university levels. Jim was a professor at Virginia Poly Technical University in Blacksburg, Va. He retired after 25 years of service. He was awarded professor emeritus status in 2005 for his exceptional service and leadership in vocational education, work-based learning and career and technical education.

Jim had a one-year professor exchange in England, where he taught and did research. While in England, Jim learned the craft of violin making, a craft his teacher said the American picked up quickly. He built his own violin and practiced playing the instrument.

Jim was a master woodworker and was recognized for his work in creating the Woodworking Guild at Sun City in Bluffton, S.C., where Jim and Joyce lived for over 20 years.

Jim was a gregarious, life-loving man, who loved to teach, whether in the classroom or the woodshop. He could turn any experience into a lesson and thoroughly enjoyed a good debate.

He was a kind and loving man who could turn a stranger into a friend in a matter of minutes.

Jim loved his home state, Iowa, and returned regularly to attend high school reunions and visit family and friends. Dr. James Leroy Hoerner lived a very full and rewarding life.

He will be sorely missed by his family and friends.