Rev. James A. Ramsay

CENTRAL — The Rev. James Aaron Ramsay, 76, of Central passed away on Sunday, March 19, 2017.

He was born in Gibraltar, Pa., on July 25, 1940 to Sedgwick Uriah and Mary Elizabeth Ramsay. He was married to Carol Chance on August 4, 1962.

James was a graduate of Twin Valley High School (Morgantown, Pa.), Frankfort Wesleyan College (Frankfort, Indiana), the University of South Africa (Pretoria, RSA) and did graduate studies at the Fuller School of World Missions (Pasadena, CA). He was an ordained elder in The Wesleyan Church for over 50 years. Commissioned as a career missionary with The Wesleyan Church in 1964, he served for 38 years in various capacities.

His ministry took him to Swaziland, Africa (9 years), The Republic of South Africa (26 years) and Albania, Eastern Europe (three years). During his ministry, he led the Ebenezer District of Swaziland to full national leadership as well as assisting in organizing the creation of the Emmanuel Wesleyan Bible Institute. For seven years he did pioneer work among the Venda people of South Africa, then served as the principal of Wesleyan Evangelical Seminary in Brakpan, South Africa while also pastoring the nearby Boksburg Wesleyan Church for 13 years.

In Albania he worked as a church planter and with refugees relief during the Kosovo War. Upon returning to the United States in 2000, he pastored Trinity Wesleyan Church (Central) for four years and for the last 10 years has served as pastor of Martin Grove Wesleyan Church (Sunset).

Rev. Ramsay is being remembered as a loving husband, devoted father, doting grandfather, a loyal friend, a fun person to be with but most of all as a godly man who was faithful in ministry and friendships. In addition to services here, his life will be celebrated with a memorial service in Pretoria, South Africa on Friday, March 24, 2017. His ministry has impacted lives of people now residing in many countries around the world. His was a life well lived.

The family wishes to express their deep appreciation for the wonderful care given during Rev. Ramsay's sickness by St. Francis Cancer Center and by Hospice of the Foothills (Seneca) as well as the continued care of the Martin Grove Wesleyan Church family throughout his illness.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Carol, and two daughters, Suzan (Chris) Potter of Central and their children, Rachel (Brandon) Jett, Gavin and Jared; Sharilyn (Kerry) and their children, Ian and Taryn; brothers, Uriah Ramsay of Danville, Ill., Thomas Ramsay of Allentown, Pa., and by many nieces and nephews that love their Uncle Jim.

Three brothers preceded him in death.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Friday, March 24, 2017, in the Liberty Mortuary Chapel. Burial will be at Martin Grove Wesleyan Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the mortuary.

Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements.