James Andrew Forman, age 94, passed away April 11, 2011. He was born July 28, 1916, in Sherman, Texas to James and Lydia (Hammond) Forman. They later moved to Magnolia, Mississippi. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, step-mother (who became a real mother to James), three brothers and one sister. He is survived by his wife, Joyce, of Bethany; son, Jan Forman and wife Eugenia of Brentwood, TN; daughter, Jeannette Ridge and husband Bob of Yukon; grandchildren, Lorri Mast and husband Brian of Franklin, TN, Jason Ridge and wife Katherine of Yukon, OK, Michelle Creach and husband Brett of Yukon, OK, Brian Ridge of Yukon, OK, Lance Forman and wife Katie of Franklin, TN; great-grandchildren, Carson and Carter Creach, Ella and Elias Mast, and Gregory Ridge; sister, Beverly Wood and husband AL of Huntsville, AL; and several nieces and nephews. James married Joyce (Carter) Forman while they were both attending Bethany-Peniel College, now Southern Nazarene University. James graduated from Bethany-Peniel College with a major in history. He also received post-graduate degrees from Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri, and the University of Missouri at Kansas City. He did further graduate work at the University of Alabama. Mr. Forman served as an officer for four years in the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, during World War II. He was involved in the Campaign on Okinawa where he was wounded and received the Purple Heart. Most importantly, he was an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene. He and his wife, Joyce, served as pastor over thirty years. They are members of Bethany First Church of the Nazarene. He also taught history for eleven years at the University of Alabama-Gadsden Center. For all his accomplishments, he will best be remembered for his tender compassion and the demonstration of his faith in Jesus Christ. He cherished his wife, 2 children, 5 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. He considered countless others to be his family. James loved life, his Lord, family, church and friends. He will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him. Viewing will be Thursday, 9am-9pm, with the family receiving visitors from 6-8pm at Mercer-Adams Funeral Service in Bethany. Services to celebrate his life will be Friday, April 15, 2:00pm at Bethany First Church of the Nazarene with interment in Bethany Cemetery.