James David Bercaw

James David Bercaw died Feb. 28, 2012, at his home. He was born in Mason, Ohio, coming to Vero Beach eight years ago from Sewall's Point. He began his career with Bell Laboratories and held positions in engineering and management at Western Electric and AT&T Consumer Products. In 1993, as executive vice president of operations, he went to Shanghai and established three factories and a logistics center. While in Shanghai, he also served as president of the American Chamber of Commerce, whose membership grew almost threefold. He was honorably discharged as a first lieutenant serving with the Army Corps of Engineers. He received his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Alabama, where he was a member of the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, as well as the Delta Tau Delta social fraternity. In 1991, he received an honorary doctorate in engineering from Purdue University's School of Engineering and Technology. He was a former town commissioner and vice mayor for the town of Sewall's Point in Martin County. After moving to Vero Beach in 2004, he was a member of the Executive Committee of the Indian River Republican Party and served on the Board of the Hibiscus Children's Center. He was a member and served as a ruling elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach and also served as the head of the building committee. Survivors include his wife of 49 years, June Denman Bercaw of Vero Beach; sons, James D. Bercaw of Metairie, La., and Jeffery D. Bercaw of Oak Ridge, N.C.; brother, John E. Bercaw of Pasadena, Calif.; sisters, Deborah Weir and Jennifer Collins, both of Raleigh, N.C.; and five grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 520 Royal Palm Blvd., Vero Beach, FL 32960. Services: A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. March 10 at the First Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach. A reception for family and friends will follow in McAfee Hall at the church. Arrangements are by the Strunk Funeral Home and Crematory of Vero Beach. A guestbook is available at www.strunkfuneralhome.com.