Dr. James I. “Jim” Ethridge
The world lost a kind and loving soul on the morning of Tuesday, June 4, 2024, with the passing of Dr. James I. “Jim” Ethridge. His spirit of adventure, dedication to family, and passion for his life’s work will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
He was the son of the late Doris and Ivan Ethridge. Jim’s life is a testament to his unwavering dedication to his family and his love for nature. Growing up on a farm in Milledgeville, IL he found his passion for agriculture and horticulture. He received his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D from the University of Illinois. He spent time in Africa providing tools and resources to small villages to teach them about crop irrigation and growth. Jim also spent time in Germany as an intern during his undergraduate years. Jim spent 30 years as a professor at Joliet Junior College as well as the Department Chair of Agriculture and Horticulture for many of those years. During his time there “Doc” brought innovation in greenhouse care, solar energy, and hydroponic plant growth as well as state-of-the-art vocational and vet tech programs. His love of travel took him places all over the world. He retired from his college career in 2011.
On August 18, 1973, Jim married the love of his life, Dr. Veree Kepley. The two lived most of their married life in Shorewood, IL where they raised their two daughters. After retiring, Jim and Veree moved to Delaware to settle into retirement and be with their daughters and their families. Jim could not sit still, so he quickly took up a part-time job at the Mt. Cuba greenhouse where he continued his love for working with flowers. Jim also became a member of Delaware Saengerbund where he created lifelong friendships, sang in the choir, created many gardens on the property, and looked forward to working the club’s annual Oktoberfest celebration each year.
Opa Jim is survived by his loving wife, Veree Ethridge; children, Kersten Freda and Karee McAndrew (Beth McAndrew); and grandchildren, Madelynn & Ella Freda and Allison & Ryan McAndrew.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10 am until 11 am on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 275 East Main Street, Middletown, DE, where a memorial service will begin at 11 am. Inurnment will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jim’s memory to The Parkinson’s Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131 or online by clicking here.
Vicki Farmer
Jim was a wonderful and loving person. We will miss him very much.
Sobeyda Barragan
I am deeply sorry about Jim’s passing. No words that I offer can lessen your pain, but know that I am here for you and your family during this difficult time. Jim is leaving a great legacy behind.
Daniela
I am shock to hear of your passing . You were just texting us last week. Rest in Peace my Dear Friend 🙏❤️🙏
J. D. Ross
Veree and family,
Please accept my condolences for your loss. It was a privilege to know and work with Jim for so many years. He was an outstanding educator. Dedication to his students, to his field of study were hallmarks of his time at JJC. May he rest in eternal peace.
Kathy Manow
My sincerest condolences to the Ethridge family and all the lives Doc touched, changed, inspired, revived & educated with a passion you only find from the very best teachers.
Doc was an ICON.
I attended many of his incredible classes at JJC & got A’s for the first time in my life. His passionate teaching style, vast knowledge, student engagement & endless true stories kept me glued to my seat.
The support he gave & unwavering belief in my potential has helped me forge my own unique path in horticulture over the last 21 years. Even though I haven’t been a student since 2011, I would still hit him up for answers to plant questions now & then. Always the teacher, he would always reply. I’m grateful & honored to have had the opportunity to learn from one of the coolest, smartest & interesting people I’ve ever met.
He will be dearly missed & impossible to forget.
AdrienAndy Olivier
A man among men,A great friend to all”His passion for flowers was infectious.I will miss him.We had so many discussions.
Jim King
My condolences on the loss of a tremendous gentleman. He will be missed by many.
Neal Verhagen
I learned a lot from Doc. Back in the mid 70’s. I am the proud owner of 14 greenhouses in Theresa WI and owe a lot of that to Doc. My friend Howie and I spent a lot of time with him. A great guy.
Maureen Peterson
Very sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. I knew him from JJC. He will be missed.
Prayers for comfort to all.
Sandy Baker McKeon
He was inspirational to all our faculty in his passion for his teaching and his students. He always had such energy and spirit that spread to those around him. I so enjoyed knowing him.
Lorraine Sturmfels
We have known Jim since he joined the DSB. We have sung with him In choir and always looked forward to seeing what he made for the Ladies Christmas festival. We offer his family and friends our deepest condolences and pray that we all meet with him again.
Sincerely Lorraine and Don Sturmfels
Leigha Robinson
So sorry to hear of your loss. I remember him from when we were kids and he was always so kind and fun! He will forever be missed.
Lynn DiFilippo
I learned a lot from Doc at JJC. He was a wonderful teacher. Sorry to hear of his passing.
Mary Yahnke
So sorry to hear this news. Not only did I have the lovely experience of touring the Joliet Junior College gardens under Dr. Ethridge’s guidance, but I was blessed to know his wife when we were both employed at the University of St. Francis. My condolences to his family and community on this loss of a very dedicated steward and teacher.
John Bushman
My sincere condolences to the family
Suzanne (Gapa) Inman
Doc was a wonderful person, with so much passion for horticulture and teaching and guideing his students. Having him as a professor during my time at JJC was a pleasure, he had so many stories and really made the learning environment fun. He will be missed greatly. RIP Doc.
Earl Lieske III
Doc was a mentor, an inspiration and a lifelong friend since I first attended JJC in 1992. He always had time for anyone who showed interest in anything horticulture related and no matter how busy his schedule was he gave his time freely and openly. He was, is and will continue to be an inspiration to me and all who knew him. We just exchanged comments on Facebook a few days ago and I will miss those exchanges, comments and laughs deeply. I am not sure he ever knew how much he impacted and guided my life and he truly helped shape and guide the man I am today. I am eternally grateful Doc! I love the man you were and are and will cherish knowing you. Love,
Earl III
Pete Samek
Doc was an amazing teacher, mentor and a wealth of knowledge in Horticulture and life lessons as well. He truly motivated me and supported my involvement in the floral industry. Doc touched so many lives and really cared about his students. He left this world too soon, but Heaven just gained a new gardener! My condolences go out to Veree and family, he will dearly be missed but never forgotten.
Tom Clayton
I was fortunate to have known Jim way before he became known as “Doc.” We had some good times in those young years of our lives. Jim was always the best of pals and was always kind and considerate to those he encountered. I hope to see him when my time comes. I am sending prayers to God asking He send much love and peace to the family members Jim has left behind. Love to all that read this. I will not forget my pal, Jim; a truly good man.
Amy Shelly
This makes me so sad. He was a great teacher and I learned so much from him. Still have my books and notes from his classes. I remember clearly tasting unripe Persimmons and smelling Ginko fruit. A trip to the Chicago Botanical Garden and the Morton Arboretum was a true treasure with Doc. JJC Class of 1999.
Emily Stauffenberg Rousonelos
My sincere condolences for your loss. Doc was one of the best teachers I’ve ever had and is the reason I love botany and biology so much. I teach science and many things I do during class are inspired by him. He made impact in so many lives and will be sorely missed.
Eric Mundt
I will never forget my time at JJC with him as a Professor. Awesome teacher and a great man. RIP Doc! I hear there is a heck of a greenhouse where you’re headed.
Joe Mauk
Please accept our condolences. Jim was a fine man.
Joe & Mary Mauk (DSB)
Tony Fulmer
There are truly no words to describe my shock that Jimmy is gone. We had two long, really good conversations recently and he sounded strong, laughed a lot, but did admit he was tired of the pain and tremors.
Jimmy (I knew him before he was “Doc”) and I went to the U. of I. together for our Hort classes and there was an immediate competition that would last throughout our lifetimes. He told me numerous times he loved the fact that his advanced degrees didn’t make me deferential to him, as though that would ever happen! One upsmanship and sarcasm were the foundation of our relationship.
We lost track of each other shortly before he got married in the 70s, but then reconnected in 2017. His passions for horticulture and teaching hadn’t dimmed, the only change was his diagnosis…. oh, and his obsession with all things German.
I’m so grateful for those last 7 years of friendship and that we talked soon before he passed. His texts and FB posts continued almost daily. He had to be productive and busy to the end.
Jimmy, my world is different knowing that you’re not in it. The loss feels crushing, but your courageous battle is over, and somehow, it seems as though you won, dear friend.
My most heartfelt condolences to all the Ethridge family.
Ed Collins
Jim,
I first met you in 2013, when my wife and I joined the DSB. I was amazed at the effort, knowledge and dedication you devoted to the DSB and its plants, shrubs and trees. You worked tirelessly helping every single piece of greenery grow and develop to its fullest potential. You were a one-man landscaping crew, who also taught the rest of use how to care for our plants. I will never forget your unending devotion to the DSB as you sought to beautify the complete ground of our club. RIP.
Sharon Pogliano
So sorry to hear of Doc’s passing. I took many classes and learned so much from his knowledge of everThing plant! He will be missed by all that knew him. My deepest condolences to his family.
Barb Herbert
My sincere condolences to the Ethridge Family. I was in one of Doc’s first classes the year he started at JJC. His enthusiasm, knowledge and high energy were a inspiration. I’ve been in horticulture for over 30 years now and Jim was still inspiring me through is facebook posts. I am honored to have known him and am saddened at his passing.
Andrew LaFrance
Jim was a great mentor. He was a very kind man. I will miss him. Sorry for your loss.
Mike Pavlik
I enjoyed my work with Jim, and share sympathy with his family on his loss.
Majed Subh
My deepest Condolence for Dr. Jim family and friends. I shall definitely miss working in the horticulture with him and learning from him. I shall keep practice his teachings.
Alison K Matsen
We will miss Jim at the Delaware Saengerbund! He embodied the definition of volunteering.
He spent so very many hours tending to the plantings there, and supporting the Ladies Group
by making plant-based crafts for them to sell at their bazaar.
He was a great addition to the Thursday evening German class I teach, and also
to the DSB Chorus. What a nice man! Alison and David Matsen
Alison K Matsen
He spent many hours working with the “Find a Grave” group,
walking through cemeteries to find graves that hadn’t yet been catalogued,
and future genealogists will have him to thank for his dedication.
Alison K. Matsen