James Merritt Herrick

James (Jim) Merritt Herrick was born on September 8, 1926 and spent his early years living and working on his parent's 260-acre farm in rural Michigan. His father and mother were best known for their outstanding ministering to others in the community. They passed on to their only child, Jim, many fine qualities including: love, compassion, loyalty, truthfulness, and pride in work and country.

Jim's childhood dream was to enlarge his parent's farm and raise premium registered Holsteins (dairy cows). Although his childhood dream was never realized, his passion and pride for farming and raising dairy cows remained in him for the rest of his life.

Jim lost two close friends on the USS Arizona as a result of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. In 1944, against his mother's wishes, he courageously volunteered for the U.S. Navy, despite a legitimate farming exemption. He served two years proudly as a torpedo-man 1st class on a P.T. boat that was stationed outside Manila in the Philippines. HIs U.S. Naval service and particularly the camaraderie he felt working with a small crew on a P.T. boat were a source of pride which he reminisced throughout his life.

After finishing his service to his country Jim enrolled in Michigan State University where he played on the football team for one year, but decided to quit and focus on his education. Jim graduated with a BA degree in agricultural management. Most importantly, in Jim's senior year, he met his future wife, Virginia, and they both fell in love immediately. They got married months after meeting each other and were happily married for the next 66 years until Jim's death.

After moving to San Diego, CA to pursue a better life for himself and his family, Jim found a job working for the City of San Diego Planning Department. HIs career blossomed at the Planning Department as Jim rose in rank to become a supervisor responsible for presenting large zoning and subdivision projects to the San Diego City Council.

Jim enjoyed a long retirement in which he traveled extensively and enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren grow. Jim is survived by his wife Virginia, three children (James, Janice and Steven), six grandchildren ( Alana, Amber, Doug, David, Michael, Connor) and five great grandchildren (Ival, Satta, Amara, Ester and baby Stella).