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| Earl "Jay" Romans, 1965 | |
[Deceased: April 16, 2004 ]
Retired Army Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Earl Jay Romans, 56, died at his Fayetteville, GA, home on April 16, 2004 after a two-year battle with cancer. He was born in Pekin, IL, Sept. 1, 1947, and lived with his military family in Georgia, Colorado, and Germany until his father retired from the Army in Columbus, GA, in 1968. He earned the B.A. and B.Th. degrees from Atlanta (GA) Christian College. He had graduate degrees from Lincoln (IL) Christian Seminary and Candler School of Theology at Emory University (Atlanta). He was a minister in the Christian church and served with the following Georgia churches: First Christian Church in Columbus, Bethany Christian Church of Carrollton, Cartersville Christian Church, Cleveland Avenue Christian Church of Atlanta, and First Christian Church of Jonesboro (where he served at the time of his death). He also served with Harvey's Point of Kell, IL. His ministry spanned almost four decades and included a 23-year career as an airborne chaplain in the U.S. Army. His duty assignments included: Fort Bragg, NC (82nd Airborne Division); Sinop, Turkey; Fort Monmouth, NJ; Fort Benning, GA, (U.S. Army Airborne School); Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, VA; Giessen, Germany; Fort Bliss, TX; and Fort McPherson, GA. He was loved and respected by his fellow soldiers for his sense of humor and commitment. He logged 347 airborne jumps. His trademark at all times was "Thumbs Up!" He preached his last sermon on Easter morning, April 11. A memorial celebration was held April 18 at Heritage Christian Church (Fayetteville, GA) with more than 450 in attendance. Participating ministers included: Wade Hall, Eddie Groover, Steve Hooks, Tom Plank, Tony Sullivan, and retired Chaplain (Col.) Jerry D. Reynolds. The U.S. flag was presented to his widow, Nancy, by retired Chaplain (Col.) Roy Mathis. Interment with full military honors took place May 25th (2004) at the Fort Benning Post Cemetery in Columbus, GA. with Reynolds officiating. In addition to his widow, survivors include one daughter, Bethany Lynn Romans of Fayetteville, GA; two sons, John-Mark of Savannah, GA, and Joshua Caleb of Fort MacPherson, GA; his parents, retired Army 1st Sgt. Charles and Mae Romans of Lake Wales, FL; one brother, Chuck of Bryson City, NC; one sister, Tonya Harris of Albany, GA; and two grandchildren.
Obituary from The Christian Standard
Jay's words from June, 2001:
I didn't do a whole lot a Baker except try and graduate. I was a mediocre student at best and it is a miracle that I graduated and went on to earn 4 college degrees. Many Many fond memories of Baker!
After college I began preaching in Illinois and then went into the military as a chaplain and stayed on Active Duty for 23 years. I retired in 2000 and went back to my first love of being a minister and now preach.
June, 2005
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