Photo courtesy of Hillside Funeral Service
Chocowinity, North Carolina
Age 83
Earl Jeffrey Inman (Jeff), 83, died on July 5, 2017 at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, NC. A visitation is planned for family and friends on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm at Hillside Funeral Service & Cremations, 4500 Hwy 264 East, Washington, NC. Future services are planned to be held in Manistique, Michigan at a later date. Jeff was born on September 23, 1933 in Valparaiso, Indiana to Earl Cox Inman, Jr. and his wife Dorothy Mae Richard Inman. He married Marjorie Murphy in 1953. They both worked, attended college and was blessed with three boys, Kip, Steven, and Daniel. Jeff and Marge attended Purdue University where Jeff earned his Master degree and Marge her Ph.D. They both began to teach and accepted positions at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC in 1991. Jeff taught Construction Management. They moved to Cypress Landing, Chocowinity, NC and both retired in 1999. During previous years they had purchased property on Indian Lake in Manistique, Michigan, in the upper peninsula. Jeff and his sons had built two houses on the four lots and had began to spend six months in North Carolina. Marge passed away and though Jeff enjoyed his family and sister, Sally, two brothers, three sons and nine grandchildren, he was lonely. The family was pleased to see Jeff happier when he married Helen Sommerkamp in 2012. They built a workshop and Jeff has spent these five years doing what he enjoyed most, building boats and going back and forth to Michigan. The Inman family sends a grateful "Thank you" to the Vidant Medical Family in Washington, NC and in Greenville for their kind and loving care as they worked hard to try to save his life and console the family members. We also express a "Thank you" to the ambulance service from Chocowinity as they rushed to his aid, three times. They were thorough, thoughtful, and kind. The family is also receiving the same kind, thoughtful, well organized treatment from Hillside Funeral Service. "Thank you" for these things and the beautiful lunch and the comfort.
Read MoreMy sympathy to all of his family. My son was in his class in 1982 and in 1983. Many thanks to a wonderful human being and teacher.
Myrna Dowell
July 27, 2017 | Indianapolis, IN
Deepest sympathies to the family of my old teacher and friend, Hair. I remember him as a remarkable, strong and tender man, with a great sense of humor and. He had a real heart for his students. When we lost my best friend, Dick Dowell, in 83' ( also one of his students ) Hair was right there, graveside, with us and cried as if he had lost his own son. He will always be remembered, fondly.
Darin Keiser
July 27, 2017
Mr Inman or "Hair" as well all called him was an amazing teacher, mentor and person. I graduated from Benton Central in 1980 but his lessons are something that has spanned my life and things I have passed to my children as well. I thank the Lord above I was blessed to have him in my life.
Condolences to Mr. Inman's wife and family
Carl D. Bennett
July 17, 2017
So sorry to hear of Harolds passing. I was in the 1980 and 1981 building trades class. I was blessed to be visited by Jeff and Marge nearly every winter at our Dog n Suds christmas tree stand, in Lafayette, while on their way to the lake for Christmas. I will miss our phone visits and regret never making it up to his lake cabin. After talking with him the week before he passed we made our plans for myself and another classmate to head north as soon as he was released from his Dr. to go...
Deon Miller
July 14, 2017 | Wolcott, IN
I graduated from Benton Central in 1976 and I learned more from "Hair" than any other Teacher... he was a Great Man, and he will be missed! ~Chuck Muller
Chuck Muller
July 14, 2017 | Indianapolis, IN
Sorry to hear this, he was ONE OF THE GREATS! Students around these parts still speak of him with high regards!!
Aletha Sondgerath-Dowell
July 14, 2017 | Fowler, IN
Steve, So sorry to hear about your Dad. We just wanted to let you know that we are thinking about you and your family. You are in our prayers.
Steve and Terri Cornelius
July 14, 2017 | Lafayette, IN
Remembered By
Steve and Terri Cornelius
July 14, 2017 | Lafayette, IN
So sorry to hear of Jeffs passing. We had a long time Building Trades period of time with him. Two of our sons learned much under his tutelage. They were the first who traveled to Michigan to visit him. Ron later took his boat up and he and Jeff spent much time fishing. Gene served several years on the board working with him. He leaves quite a mark on our community. Gene and Shirley Freeman
Shirley Freeman
July 07, 2017 | Oxford, IN