THE Seventh-day Adventist Church in Jamaica is mourning the passing of Dr Hermon Douce who died in Florida, USA, on May 10, after a brief period of illness. He was 88.

Dr Douce, an ordained pastor who entered denominational work in 1953, served the Adventist Church in various capacities during his 46 years of service, the most substantive being President of West Indies College (now Northern Caribbean University) for the period 1980 to 1985.

Immediately after his tenure as College’s president, he served as education director of West Indies Union Conference (now Jamaica Union Conference) from 1985 to 1988.

President of Northern Caribbean University Dr Lincoln Edwards hailed Dr Douce.

“He was known for his sense of humour that kept many smiling and laughing as he went about his daily activities. Dr Douce also worked as district pastor, literature evangelist, MV and education secretary for the West Jamaica Conference. After completing his terminal degree, he fulfilled the responsibilities of academic vice-president, prior to being voted as president of the then West Indies College. He also fulfilled roles of professor, director of graduate affairs, and college dean at NCU.

“Douce’s dedication and commitment to his church and alma mater were so overwhelming that even after his retirement in 1999, he continued to work on a contractual basis at the university in the Departments of Teacher Education and Graduate Studies,” Dr Edwards said.

For Dr Douce’s daughter Avery Thompson, her dad’s humility made him a standout.

“He is greatly missed by the entire family because he was an awesome husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and brother. He was the epitome of humility, and this made him loved and appreciated by numerous individuals who have communicated with us regarding how special he made them feel. We were with him on his last night and his assurance was that anytime he should ‘sleep’, he wanted to see Jesus when He comes to take the saints home.”

Hermon Douce is survived by his wife of over 61 years, Marjorie; children Avery, Rhonda, Michael (Donnie) and Yale (Tony); son-in-law Herbert Thompson; grandchildren Dianne, Kamulah, and Micah; sister Norma Dempster; brother-in-law Dennis Dempster; nieces and nephews; and other relatives.

The cervice of thanksgiving for the life of Dr Douce will be held at the NCU Gymnatorium in Mandeville on Sunday, June 10, 2018, at 2:00 pm.