James "Jim" Gerben

James Gerben, age 79, of Smith Mountain Lake, VA passed away peacefully at his home on March 25, 2016. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and friend to many. He was born on June 7, 1936 in Baltimore, MD, the son of the late Roland and Violet Gerben. His brothers, Charles and Ralph Gerben, and two sisters, Ruthie Bowen and Nancy Warfield, also preceded him in death. Surviving to cherish his memory are his loving wife Sandi of twenty years, his brother Larry, and his five children Charles, James, Andy, Terry, and Karen. He is also survived by his stepchildren Leiane, Julie, Kathy, and Joe; seventeen grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Jim proudly served his country for over thirty years in the United States Air Force, retiring as a Master Sergeant. Following his retirement from the military, he flew commercial airlines as a Flight Engineer. He enjoyed sailing and jet skiing with his family and friends at the lake house. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 30, 2016 from 5 to 7 p.m. A memorial service will follow the viewing at 7 p.m. at Conner-Bowman Funeral Home & Crematory, 62 Virginia Market Place Drive, Rocky Mount, Virginia, 24151.