MYFORD JAMES C. SRU Professor Emeritus, Accomplished Sculptor, James C. Myford, age 73, of Grove City, PA, passed away peacefully, with his family at his side, on Friday, May 2, 2014, at Grove City Medical Center. He will be remembered for his wonderful passion for life, which he lived as a devoted husband, a loving father, and grandfather, a supportive brother and family man, caring friend and neighbor, committed educator, and gifted sculptor. Born August 9, 1940, in Brackenridge, PA, to Melda and Klass Myford, Jim is survived by his wife and companion of 50 years, Betty; son, Gregory James (Karen) of Orlando, FL; daughter, Donna Jean Glenn of Grove City, PA; and four grandchildren, Madeline (18) and Miranda (15), Myford and Tanner (15) and Hayden (10) Glenn. Jim is also survived by three siblings, sisters, Darla Schriver, Mooresville, NC, and Merna Durand, Newark, DE, and brother, Thomas, Sarver, PA; as well as several , cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Judith Surgent of Pittsburgh, PA, and Debbie Lynn Royas of Baton Rouge, LA; and brother, David of Brackenridge, PA. After graduating from Tarentum High School in 1958, Jim attended Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, where he earned an Art Education degree in 1962 and began a teaching career that spanned more than 35 years. He went on to earn master's degrees in both Art Education (1968) and Sculpture (1978) from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. After teaching art at the junior and senior high levels in both Jeannette and Slippery Rock school districts, Jim joined the faculty at Slippery Rock University in 1968 and became an accomplished and recognized educator before retiring as Professor Emeritus in 1997. He served as Chairman of the Art Department at SRU from 1987-1996. Jim was consistently named for outstanding achievements in teaching, including recognition as Pennsylvania's Outstanding Art Educator and being nominated and selected to the Outstanding Educators of America. In 2012, Slippery Rock University named its new sculpture facility on campus the James C. Myford Art Sculpture Building in honor and recognition of his longtime contributions as an educator and artist. He was also a gifted and accomplished sculptor, with his work exhibited in private and corporate collections, galleries and museums across the world, Slippery Rock to Shanghai, China, Pittsburgh to Sao Paulo, Brazil. His larger outdoor work can be seen on several university campuses, corporate headquarters and in numerous cities across America, but he received the most satisfaction in knowing that his work would be available to those who most influenced and encouraged his passion to create, most of whom have roots in Pittsburgh and western Pennsylvania. The Myfords have generously supported several community organizations, particularly those that have involved or currently involve the activities of their children and grandchildren through the years. Jim could often be seen attending the sports events and performances of his four grandchildren at their schools or the Grove City YMCA, where he served on the initial Building & Design Committee, as well as the Capital Campaign Committee over the last several years. A visitation and Memorial Service will be held at Grace United Methodist Church, 210 S. Broad St., Grove City, on Sunday, May 18, 2014. The family will receive visitors from 2-4 p.m., with Memorial Services beginning at 5 p.m. Arrangements are being handled by CUNNINGHAM FUNERAL HOME, Grove City. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to one of the following: Grove City YMCA, 543 East Main Street Ext., Grove City, PA 16127; Grove City High School Boys Basketball Booster Club c/o Michele Orlowski, 71 Perrine Road, Grove City, PA 16127; or James C. Myford Sculpture Scholarship Fund c/o Slippery Rock University Foundation, P.O. Box 237, Slippery Rock, PA 16057. The family wishes to also thank the many caregivers of Grove City Medical Center, especially the loving Transitional Care Center staff, who looked after and comforted Jim, and all of us, through his final days. May we all exemplify Jim's zest for living and giving for the remainder of our days. Send condolences at post-gazette.com/gb