15-04-2025
Dothan education pioneer dies, family remembers impact on community
DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) — One Wiregrass family is cherishing the memories and ever lasting impact that one former Dothan educator left on thousands of people and students in the community.
James Hemby passed away at 91 years old, surrounded by his family.
Carla Woodall and Beth Hembey, James' daughters, remember their father as not only a spectacular dad, but a revolutionary educator.
'We are definitely sad and I know he will be missed but he had such a long full life that we cant be totally sad,' said Hemby.
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Family says he had been dealing with dementia over at least the last five years, but they say you wouldn't have ever known as he didn't let it slow him down one bit.
'He loved to get in the yard and blow leaves and ride around, he still recognized everywhere he was going, his schedule he loved to go to McDonald's and eat his breakfast and watch all the cars and construction,' said Woodall.
Hemby was a Slocomb native where he grew up and graduated from Slocomb high school before going to Auburn University.
Shortly after graduating, he joined the Army, but Hemby is mostly known for his time as an educator in Dothan City Schools where he served as a teacher, mentor supervisor and school board chairman spending over four decades with the school system.
'We've had times where we are out in public and people say oh your dad is the best teacher,' said Hemby.
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Family believes he is the pioneer of vocational education. He's credited for being the first career tech director, crafting and laying the foundation for the Dothan Tech Center that exists today.
'Even back then 75 percent of students were not going to college they were going to the workforce and Hemby had the vision to recognize that and help students,' said DCS Superintendent Dennis Coe.
'Daddy equipped students for life,' said Hemby.
His children say outside of education, he loved to fish and he loved big, students, teachers, friends and family
'Daddy never grew up, he was like a kid at heart and we got blessed with the ultimate girl dad and he was our biggest cheerleader,' said Woodall.
He leaves behind a wife, two daughters and grandchildren and great grandchildren
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