Adventists mourn passing of former NCU president

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Jamaica is mourning the passing of Dr Hermon Douce, who died after a brief illness on May 10 in Florida, United States. He was 88.

Douce, an ordained pastor who entered denominational work in 1953, served the Adventist Church in various capacities during his 46 years of service.

He was a past president of West Indies College (now Northern Caribbean University, NCU) for the period 1980-1985. Immediately after his tenure as college president, he served as education director of West Indies Union Conference (now Jamaica Union Conference) from 1985-1988.

He was known for his sense of humour that kept many smiling and laughing as he went about his daily activities.

After his retirement in 1999, Douce continued to work on a contractual basis at the university in the departments of Teacher Education and Graduate Studies.

"He is greatly missed by the entire family because he was an awesome husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and brother," said daughter, Avery Thompson. "He was the epitome of humility, and this made him loved and appreciated by numerous individuals who have communicated with us regarding how special he made them feel. We were with him on his last night, and his assurance was that anytime he should 'sleep', he wanted to see Jesus when He comes to take the saints home."

Douce is survived by his widow of more than 61 years, Marjorie; children, Avery, Rhonda, Michael (Donnie) and Yale (Tony); son-in-law Herbert Thompson, among others.

The service of thanksgiving for Douce will be held at the NCU gymnatorium in Mandeville, Manchester, on Sunday, June 10, at 2 p.m.