James Herbert McCullers Jr.

James Herbert McCullers, Jr. was born on October 28, 1949 in West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the older of three children born to the late James H. McCullers, Sr. and Willie Catherine Yeargin McCullers. After a short illness, Jim peacefully transitioned into eternal rest on Wednesday, March 31, 2021, at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Presbyterian Hospital in the presence of his caring wife and soulmate, Randy Sarner. Jim, who was also affectionately known as Jimmy or Junior, was raised in the town of Yeadon, Pennsylvania. Jim was educated in Delaware County Public Schools and graduated from Yeadon High School. He was a proud graduate of the illustrious Lincoln University (Pennsylvania), the oldest Historically Black University in the nation. After completing his undergraduate studies, Jim began a career in management at the Sears, Roebuck and Co. in Corning, New York. Upon relocating to South Carolina, he became employed with the Xerox Company, where he worked as a Senior Support Representative and Trainer for more than fifteen years. Jim then became a self-taught, hardware specialist and software developer with the State of South Carolina. Upon returning to Pennsylvania Jim worked for and with the likes of Eaton, Sarcom, and PNC-as a Data Warehousing Specialist, Software Developer, and Senior Project Manager, before retirement in 2019. At the age of twelve, Jim was baptized at the Historically Black First Baptist Church (Raleigh, North Carolina), which is a longtime anchor for civil and human rights organizing. Jim also became a lifetime member of Second Nazareth Baptist Church, where he offered his life to Christian service. As a member of Second Nazareth, Jim served as a member of the Men’s Ministry, Sunday School Faculty, Church Transportation Committee, Finance Committee, and Trustee Board. After years of membership and dedicated service to Second Nazareth, he was ordained as a Deacon in the Fall of 1994. During his youthful years, Jim was a competitive cyclist, billiards player, and sailor, in addition to being an outdoorsman. Jim was a lifelong car and music enthusiast, as well as a seasoned photographer. Through these modes of expression, Jim restored classic cars (especially Alfa Romeos and Porsches), established several home-based darkrooms, and played numerous instruments (guitar and harmonica). Jim was also an authorized sound technician and provided performance support for local events, theatrical productions, and touring recording artists. A true sports fan (Go Gamecocks! Go Steelers!), Jim was especially invigorated by Formula 1 (F1) car racing. To all who would listen, Jim shared his excitement about Lewis Hamilton, the current, F1 world champion, the first African American driver to race in the sport, and as of 2021, the winningest driver in F1 history. Later in life, Jim became a licensed Ham radio operator, a skill he used to help coordinate safety and logistics for the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix. Jim was lovingly committed to the care of his mother-in-law Audrey Sarner and his brother-in-law, the late Daniel M. Sarner. Nothing provided him greater pleasure than to spend time conversing passionately about music, sports, literature, history, technology, and politics. Earning the Family-nominated “Most Recognizable Laugh” Award, Jim’s laughter boisterously enlivened family and social gatherings. Jim embraced an unsurpassable love for children! His greatest joys were becoming a father and earning the title “Pops” from his granddaughters. Jim was a dedicated lover of Chinese Shar-Peis, particularly the late Sandra Jones and his cherished LeRoi Jones. Committed to social justice and empowering traditionally marginalized people, Jim’s last act of service, of which he was exceedingly proud, was serving as a 2020 Census Taker during the pandemic. He worked in honor of his mother, who served as a Census Taker in 1940, going so far as to commission commemorative t-shirts to recognize their civic bond. Jim was also preceded in death by his parents, James and Willie Catherine; paternal grandparents, Jacob H. McCullers and Georgianna K. Cain; and his maternal grandparents, James “J.W.” Yeargin and Leah Lindsay Thorpe Bunn Yeargin. Mother-in-Law, Willie Mae Mickle; father-in-law, Edward D. Sarner; three brothers-in-law, Amaker C. Mickle and Daniel and Matthew Sarner; first wife, Margaret Odell Caution; and one of his dearest friends, Norman Henderson. Jim leaves a legacy of love and cherished memories to his dedicated, loving and devoted wife and soulmate of 21 wonderful years, Randy Sarner of the home; two loving daughters, Michelle Lanier (Dr. Thomas R. Easley) of Raleigh, NC; Leah Celeste McCullers, her mother Carketa M. Hampton, Hopkins, SC; caring stepchildren Samuel A. (Gretchen) Lutz, Pittsburgh, PA and Jennifer E. Lutz of Barcelona, Spain; two granddaughters, Eden Segbefia, Durham, NC, Royah Kalise McCullers, Hopkins, SC; his loving mother-in-law, Audrey P. Sarner, New York; his loving sister, Katherine (Javier) Acosta; Brother Ronald (Alouisa) McCullers, both of Henderson, NV; brother Dewitt (Jo) Hunter of Philadelphia, PA; best friends Travis Broxton and Guy Seeney; a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, dear friends; and beloved Chinese Shar-Pei, Sofie Sarner, all of whom will miss his presence, but celebrate his full and extraordinary life!

James Herbert McCullers Jr.

October 28, 1949 - March 31, 2021