James Herrick

Dr. James A. Herrick, 69, of Holland–known to family and friends as Jim–went to be with the Lord on May 24, 2024, following a five-year battle with Parkinson's Disease. He is survived by his wife and best friend of forty-five years, Janet; by their four children Daniel, Stephen, Laura (John), and Alicia (Júlio); and by their four grandchildren Genesis ("Gigi"), Jasper, Arielle, and Theodore.
Jim's presence in the lives of those fortunate enough to know him was marked by his ready wit, his active mind, and, above all, his profound commitment to his two core loves: his family and his Christian faith. His passions were sparked during the years of his formal education–first at Fresno State, where he deepened his new faith through his involvement with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and earned his BA, then at UC Davis, where he earned his MA and met Janet Baylis. After they married in 1979, he went on to earn his Ph.D. in Communication Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and shortly afterward accepted a professorship in the Communications Department at Hope College, where he served faithfully for nearly forty years.
Academically, Jim fit his role as professor as perfectly as anyone could fit any job: he was diplomatic, universally beloved, learned yet personable, and possessed of a deep and unfeigned fascination with any and all academic subjects. His core interests lay at the intersection of spirituality and public discourse, and he spoke and published extensively on the interplay of science and spirituality, especially in popular culture. By the time of his death, he was one of the world's leading experts on science fiction; and it is doubtful whether any living scholar knew more about spiritual themes, both latent and explicit, in the books and films of that genre.
Jim's commitment to his family was unmatched. He cultivated a home life that was characterized by religious devotion, academic excellence, and a deep commitment to the needs of the socially downtrodden and disenfranchised. But his lively imagination was also a constant source of humor and fun. He read to his boys every night of their life until well into their teens (Janet read to the girls), and hosted family nights every Friday where he invented dozens of games based on wordplay, satire, and whimsy. A constant presence in the lives of his children, he would drive long distances, often through the night, to support them when they lived far away.
By far Jim's deepest devotion, though, was to his Christian faith. Every aspect and dimension of his life was informed by it, from his daily routine to his teaching and publishing, to his faithful service and leadership in the churches he attended. In every way, he was a model of dogged daily determination to seek Christ first, regardless of circumstance, mood, or inclination. Jesus was clearly his first love, and in his final days he expressed a great desire to go and meet Him face to face. This devoted servant of the Lord has heard, "well done," and is now forever happy in His presence.
A celebration of Jim's life will be held on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at 10:30 am at the Maas Conference Center located at 264 Columbia Ave, Holland, MI 49423.
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