James Ermine Huger Sr.

1915 - 2016

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven."
Ecclesiastes 3:1
"A Time to be Born"

James Ermine Huger, Sr., the son of Reverend Thomas Albert and Rosetta Williams Huger, was born in Tampa, Florida, on January 4, 1915. "A Time for Every Purpose
under the Heavens"

Dr. Huger earned his high school diploma and associate's degree from then Bethune-Cookman College. He then matriculated through West Virginia State College where he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree. He later earned his Master of Science Degree from the University of Michigan. Dr. Huger diligently served his community through numerous organizations including, but not limited to: Stewart Memorial United Methodist Church where he was a member for over 65 years and served as Charge Lay Leader; the Daytona Beach City Commission where he served as the first African-American City Commissioner; Volusia County Council where he was the first African-American to be elected to the Council and serve as chair; Bethune-Cookman University Board of Associate Trustees where he remained (Trustee Emeritus); Halifax Health where he served as an Associate Trustee; Board of Stewart Marchman Center where he served as President; The Rape Crisis Center (Board Member); Florida Health Care (Board Member); The Daytona Beach International Speedway Checkered Flag Committee; The Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC); The Division of Blind Services; The American Heart Association, The Florida League of Cities, NAACP, Governor's Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee, HOPE House, the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. Between 1942 and 1949, Dr. Huger served our nation as a Montford Point Marine where he, along with other members of his unit were segregated while training at the Montford Point facility at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Dr. Huger earned the highest rank as a non-commissioned officer, Sergeant Major (per a 1952 issue of Jet Magazine). In 2011, President Barak Obama signed legislature to issue the Congressional Gold Medal to these Montfort Point Marines. During his lifetime, Dr. Huger has been recognized for his unfailing commitment to community development and stellar contributions as a pioneer for his community, country and humanity. Among the many recognitions were the ARC Lifetime Achievement Award; Herbert M. Davidson Award for Community Service; Bethune-Cookman University Outstanding Alumnus; Alpha Phi Alpha Award of Merit - the highest award bestowed by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (He was a lifetime member and Second General Secretary of the fraternity). In 1956 as General Secretary of Alpha Phi Alpha, Dr. Huger invited Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. to speak at the fraternity's 50th Anniversary Banquet. A few months before the speech, Dr. King was arrested during the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Dr. Huger and other Alpha members flew to Montgomery to show support. They gave Dr. King a check on the steps of the Montgomery Courthouse, a scene preserved in a historic photograph. Dr. Huger returned to Daytona Beach to work at Bethune-Cookman where he served as Business Manager for more than 40 years before going on to serve the City of Daytona Beach as the Director of Community Development. "A Time to Love"

Dr. Huger was blessed with a loving marriage. He met the love of his life, Phannye Mae Brinson Huger on a high school visit to Bethune-Cookman University. They later met again at West Virginia State College Institute where they both served on the board for the Florida Club. They dated for five years and were married on August 23, 1941.
~Cont'd.