Posted on 04/16/2018
Dr. James Henry Demming, 95, "returned to the loving arms of the Lord" on April 13, 2018 in Ormond Beach. Dr. Demming was born on September 3, 1922, the middle child of three, to Frances Kate Bowman Demming and Bernard James Demming in Cleveland, Ohio. He grew up and attended schools in Cleveland, graduating from Cathedral Latin High School in 1940. He then enlisted in the Navy and was stationed on the battleship USS Tennessee at Pearl Harbor. He was then honored with the opportunity to attend the US Naval Academy. After graduation from the Academy, he served as an ensign on various warships including the USS Texas and the submarine, Seapoacher, during WWII. After leaving the service, Jim enrolled in medical school at what is now known as Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. While there, Jim met his future wife, Regina Ann Ferrell, through his childhood friend, Don Rathbun, who was dating Regina's sister at the time. Jim and Regina married in 1953. After medical school Jim followed up his training with a residency in Ophthalmology at Scheie Eye Institute in Philadelphia. In 1958 Jim and Regina relocated to the Daytona Beach area and Dr. Demming started his medical practice. He practiced locally until he retired in 2000. When he was not working, Jim enjoyed a variety of hobbies and interests. He loved waterskiing and taught all of his children how to water ski. He was also an avid golfer and a long term member of Oceanside Country Club. In midlife he developed an interest in Judo and started lessons at the Ormond Beach Rec Center with Nick and Ruth Horan. He went on to earn a 5th degree black belt before retiring from the sport. Jim also enjoyed traveling and took his family on many wonderful summer vacations all over the country. After his retirement, he set out and traveled the globe, visiting such places as Russia, Australia, New Zealand, Alaska, China and Peru. Jim was predeceased by his wife Regina, who died in 2014 after celebrating 60 years of marriage, and his older brother Fred. He is survived by his sister Joan (Sister Mary Annfrancis S.N.D) and his six children: Gloria, James Jr. (Suzanne), Marguerite, Suzanne, William, and Eileen. He is also survived by his grandchildren James III and Ashley Demming, Carly Demming, Abigail and David Hills, Katy and Zoe Demming and Megan Goldsworthy, great grandchildren Cainan and Natalia and many nieces and nephews. He joins God and is reunited with Regina, relatives, friends, and colleagues who predeceased him. There will be a visitation for Dr. Demming on Thursday, April 19th from 6:00 to 7:30 pm at Haigh-Black Funeral Home, 167 Vining Court, Ormond Beach. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Friday, April 20th, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Daytona Beach where he was a parishioner for many years. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Doctors Without Borders, Mercy Ships, Catholic Relief Services, Our Lady of Lourdes, or to the charity of your choice.
Haigh-Black Funeral Home
167 Vining Court
Ormond Beach, FL 32176
(386) 677-0451
Published in Daytona Beach News-Journal on Apr. 15, 2018