Jimmy Dale Herchenhahn

    Jimmy Dale “J.D.” Herchenhahn entered into the presence of his Lord and Savior whom he so earnestly loved and served Thursday morning May 11, 2023 at the Lower Cape Fear Hospice LifeCare Center. Some people called him Dr. Herchenhahn, many others knew him as Pastor, but to us he was forever our precious Dad and Papa. His faith has become sight, and we believe he heard a big “Well done, good and faithful servant” when he entered heaven’s gates!

     He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of over 54 years, Jean Herchenhahn; his parents, A.B. and Iva Herchenhahn, two brothers, Allen Herchenhahn and Fred Herchenhahn; and five sisters, Lucille Jones, Jean Brunson, Gayle Mattheiss, Dawn Gunderson, and Louise Bates.

     Jim loved his family dearly and will be most missed by his three children, Janna (Jeff) Attoe of Hampstead, Jay (Gina) Herchenhahn of Lancaster, SC, and Joy (Brad) Barth of Kernersville, NC; grandchildren Jensen (Ray) Rivera, Jonah Attoe, Jayse Attoe, Kalli Herchenhahn, Kassi Herchenhahn, Khloe Herchenhahn, Caleb Herchenhahn, Cooper Barth, Colton Barth, and Copley Barth; great-grandchildren, Vincent and Halston Rivera; two sisters, Wilma Jones and Judy Ray; many nieces and nephews. Janna, Jay and Joy would like to thank Steve and Joanna Groves, David Groves, and Tom Hayden for faithfully and lovingly caring for our dad. We would also like to acknowledge and thank David  and Cathy Lane, Edna Lancaster, Mark and Nancy Cramer, and Jimmy Sibbett for loving our dad and being the hands and feet of Jesus in dads time of need.

      Jimmy Dale was born April 25, 1941 in Macedonia, Mississippi. During his junior year of high school in Pensacola, Florida, he received Christ as his Savior under the ministry of Dr. Dolphus Price.  As a senior, he surrendered to preach the Gospel.  He attended Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina before serving two years with the United States Army. He was a Vietnam Veteran.

     Jim finished his college education at Tennessee Temple College in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was involved in many aspects of college life including playing on the baseball team and serving as student body President. It was there that he met and married his sweetheart. He received his bachelor’s degree in 1968.  He pastored the Fellowship Baptist Church in Trion, Georgia for three and a half years during his tenure at TTC and afterwards. Then in 1970, the Lord called the Herchenhahns to Wilmington to work at Grace Baptist Church—first as Assistant Pastor under Dr. Ray Noland, and then starting in 1971 as Senior Pastor of Grace and President of Wilmington Christian Academy.   

     The Lord used Pastor Herchenhahn in a great way during his thirty-six years in leadership of the church and school.  Hundreds of people came to know the Lord under his ministry, and many others grew in their faith.  A number of men and women were called to various areas of “full-time Christian service” under his leadership.  Many missionaries, pastors, teachers, and others are still serving the Lord around the world.

     He retired from Grace at the end of December 2006. That freed them up to do some short-term mission work in Guam. After that he began filling pulpits for preachers in and around the Wilmington area. That ministry led them to Riley’s Creek Baptist Church in 2010, where he was called to be their Senior Pastor. He retired from Riley’s Creek in 2021 for the primary purpose of taking care of his beloved wife and soulmate who was declining in health. He wanted to spend as much time with her as he possibly could, and that he did.

      Only eternity will reveal the impact of the life and ministry of Pastor J.D. Herchenhahn. He was an exemplary pastor, faithfully preaching the Word and sharing the gospel, as well as humbly serving and caring for people. He often quoted these lines from a poem: “Others, Lord, yes, others, let this my motto be, “help me to live for others, that I may live like Thee.” He certainly reflected Jesus through his life.

     The family will receive friends for visitation from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 13, 2023 at Grace Baptist Church, 1401 North College Road, Wilmington, with a  memorial service honoring Pastor Herchenhahn will be immediately following. Close family friend and co-laborer Rev. Mike Meshaw will officiate along with Rev. David Lancaster and Rev. Jay Knolls.. There will be a graveside service at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at  Oleander Memorial Gardens. with Rev. Brian Beaver conducting the service.

     In lieu of flowers  memorials  may be made to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Foundation, 1414 Physicians Dr., Wilmington, NC 28401. We will be forever grateful for their gentle care and compassion given to our dad.

     Online condolences may be made by selecting Tribute Wall.

     A service of Quinn Mcgowen Funeral Home Burgaw Chapel.

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