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Obituary and life story submitted by the family

J

ohn P. Herman, Jr., known to almost everyone as Jack, passed away peacefully on June 28, 2023, with the love of his life and wife of 65 years, Carol, by his side.

John (Jack) P. Herman, Jr.

Jack was born on December 19, 1934, in Harrisburg Pennsylvania growing up with his brothers Bill and Bob who were later joined by their little sister Emily. Jack’s father, John Peter Herman Sr., a policeman, and his mother Emily Herman, a homemaker, kept Jack and his siblings in line.

Jack had a vibrant creative energy and wanted to be an artist. After High School, he joined the United States Air Force, was honorably discharged, and attended Bloomsburg State Teacher’s College. The story was that his father told him he could study anything but art, so Jack took up Special Education which assured him, and maybe more importantly his father, of a steady job.

Attending Bloomsburg, now known as Bloomsburg University, turned out to be the best thing that could have happened because he met Carol there.

Jack was an excellent cook and his friends and family were often treated to delicious meals.

Jack had a varied career in his early years, perhaps wanting to find an output for his creative talents. He did everything from driving buses to, of course, teaching school. Among his entrepreneurial ventures, he co-founded the Central Pennsylvania Business School, a successful venture that exists today as Central Penn College.

With a growing family, Jack finally “settled down” and became the Chairman of the Special Education Department at the Carlisle Area School District. Jack used his creative talents as an educator to establish several innovative programs that continue to this day. Most importantly he established programs that helped students with severe learning disabilities get jobs and lead independent lives. This included convincing business owners to hire his charges.

Jack and his wife Carol at a favorite haunt in Puerto Vallarta.

Jack’s keen sense of humor and friendly nature surely helped convince many. He poured his heart into his work, responsible for the students at Carlisle with the most need. Family Thanksgiving and other holiday meals were frequently attended by some of Jack’s students and Jack’s children remember well the adventures had as a family with “Mr. Herman’s kids.”

Jack and Carol retired in 1990 and moved to Oriental, North Carolina, after a dream trip around the world.

Jack would always send a ‘cheers’ to everyone. Here with Carol at Christmas, 2022.

How his wife, Carol, put up with Jack was a running joke, but the truth was that Jack and Carol Herman were an indivisible team. Whether they were improving the lives of students, hosting parties for friends and neighbors, raising money with Relay for Life, working for Meals on Wheels, or when they were raising four children together, they never wavered in their commitment to one another.

Jack could be the life of the party, often throwing those parties, but he was also a sensitive and serious man who continued to help others long after being paid to do it. His sense of humor, laugh, generous smile, and booming operatic singing voice (you had to be there!) will not be forgotten by those who knew Jack.

Jack on his beloved Smith Creek on Independence Day

Jack is survived by his wife, Carol Herman, his sister Emily Bell, of Gananoque, Ontario, his son Jeffrey Herman of Saint Petersburg, FL, his daughter Leslie Culbertson, also of Saint Petersburg, six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and numerous nephews, nieces and their families. He is predeceased by his sons John and Eric and his brothers Bill and Bob.

Friends and family are welcome to a celebration of Jack’s life, to be held at the Oriental Plantation Club House (on Plantation Parkway off Kershaw Rd) on July 14 at 2p. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Oriental First Baptist Church.

Posted Monday July 3, 2023 by Allison DeWeese