James B. Lau, Jr.

James B Lau, Jr, 91, died on March 4, 2025 with his oldest daughter by his side. He was married September 15, 1955 to Ann Lau (deceased). He had three children: Phillip (deceased), Barbara, and Helen, five grandchildren, and one great grandson. A small family gathering will take place in lieu of a service.

Jim was born on July 15, 1933, to James B. Lau Sr., and Ruth King Lau in York, PA.  He was the fourth child of six. He helped out his family and put himself through college by working a wide range of jobs including paper boy, feed mill hand, soda jerk, grocery store stock boy (where he also managed the war rationed chocolate), handyman, mail carrier, school bus driver, and more.

Jim attended Gettysburg College where he earned his undergraduate degree in history. There he met Ann Hershfeld, who became his beloved wife of nearly 69 years. After graduating from Gettysburg, the newlyweds started their life together at Ft. Holabird in Dundalk, MD where Jim was stationed after joining the Army.  He was later transferred to Chicago, where their son Phil was born. Following his discharge from the Army, they returned to Gettysburg, PA where Jim attended The Lutheran Theological Seminary. After he was ordained, they moved to New Freedom, PA where he was the pastor for three churches. After 10 years in New Freedom, the family moved to the Philadelphia area where Jim worked in Human Resources for Sperry Univac, later called Unisys.  At the end of his career, Jim did consulting work for MAC, including a long assignment with Commonwealth Edison in Chicago.

Jim raised three children Phillip (Jeanette), Barbara (Blake), and Helen (Stuart).  He loved being a grandfather to five grandchildren: Bryan, Andrew (Sevi), Catherine, Brianna, and Gwynneth, and a great grandfather to Lincoln.

Following their retirement in 1995, Jim and Ann moved to a brand-new community in South Carolina - Sun City Hilton Head. Jim and Ann loved living in Sun City.  Jim was a very early member of the Sun City Chorus, where he stayed active as long as he was able. He was also active in Sun City’s Democratic Club and belonged to a book club.  He loved to ride his bike in his earlier Sun City days, earning a few senior Olympic medals.  During this time, Jim also volunteered for Thumbs Up Children’s Educational Center, with a sea turtle rescue group on Hunting Island and as a tour guide on Pinckney Island.

Jim loved to travel. When he was young, he, Ann, and the kids drove cross-country multiple times, camping and exploring the United States from coast to coast. Later he traveled with Ann to Italy, France, Egypt, Argentina, Chile, the Caribbean, and more.

In addition to their family, Jim and Ann leave behind many wonderful friends in Sun City and the surrounding South Carolina Low Country.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Gettysburg College, the Sun City Chorus, or Friends of Hunting Island.

Friends of Hunting Island
Web: https://www.friendsofhuntingisland.org/adopt

Gettysburg College
Web: https://www.gettysburg.edu/

Sun City Chorus
Web: https://www.facebook.com/SunCityChorus/