Obituary of LTC James Ray Timmerberg

Lieutenant Colonel James Ray Timmerberg, 78, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on the afternoon of November 21, 2024. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for LTC Timmerberg, U.S. Army (Retired), on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at 12:00pm at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church. Burial with Full Military Honors will follow at 2:00pm at Fort Jackson National Cemetery. A time of remembrance and personal reflections will be held at 6:00pm on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at Powers Funeral Home in Lugoff, followed by a visitation until 8:00pm.

Jim grew up in Valley Park, Missouri where he originally attended the seminary. After leaving the seminary, Jim got his BA in English and Education from the University of Missouri and became a high school English teacher. After meeting and marrying the love of his life, Betty Rose Timmerberg, he was drafted in the Vietnam War. After returning from war, he chose to stay in the military and began his career in Military Intelligence. He served as a Counterintelligence Officer and Tactical Intelligence Officer for 21 years before retiring. LTC Timmerberg was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Vietnam Service Medal for which his family is extremely proud.

Jim and Betty had 4 children, Walter James Timmerberg (Aung), Sally Ann Timmerberg, Rose Timmerberg Montgomery (Tripp) and Gayle Timmerberg Smith (John Paul). His career took his family all over the United States and parts of Europe. Prior to his European assignment, Jim attended the Defense Language Institute where he became fluent in French. His devoted wife, Betty, took care of the family as they moved around the world and Jim held firm to his promise to retire in her home town of Elgin, South Carolina. LTC Timmerberg started his second career at Camden High School where he served as the senior JROTC instructor for 17 years and was honored as Teacher of the Year in 2006. His love and passion for helping students was evident to all he encountered.

In retirement, Jim was able to enjoy his passion for Bass Fishing. He was a member of Lugoff Bassmasters from 2008 - 2023 where he diligently served as the club secretary. He remained part of his Bass Club even after receiving his cancer diagnosis. Bass fishing came in second only behind spending time with his family. He was the proudest grandfather and always enjoyed talking about his grandchildren, Gracen Kerr, Dru Montgomery, Meg Montgomery, Wyatt Smith, Sawyer Smith and Virgina Smith.

Although it would take a book to pay respects to all Jim accomplished in his life, he can best be summed up using his own words. He truly loved his wife and family and he always tried his best to be a nice and caring man. He did his best to honor his Lord and Creator and he loved fishing.

He is preceded in death by his father Marvin E. Timmerberg, mother Margaret Eileen Grennan Timmerberg and brother Fritz J. Timmerberg.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Camden High School JROTC program or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.