Navigation

United Methodist University acting president is dead

Oct. 31, 2014 | MONROVIA, Liberia (UMNS)
The Rev. James D. Karblee (second row center) with Bishops John G. Innis and Arthur F. Kulah at the Gbarnga School of Theology in March. Photo by Julu Swen, UMNS
The Rev. James D. Karblee (second row center) with Bishops John G. Innis and Arthur F. Kulah at the Gbarnga School of Theology in March. Photo by Julu Swen, UMNS

The Rev. Dr. James D. Karblee, acting president at United Methodist University, died suddenly on Oct. 29. He was 71.

ELWA Hospital officials certified that Karblee did not die of Ebola.

Karblee, who was vice president for administration at the university, was at work on Oct. 29 and left without showing any sign of illness, according to his assistant Jacob P. Young.

“He was a hypertension person and would intermittently complain about gastro-indigestion problems,” Young said.

Family members said they took Karblee to the hospital after he became weak and unresponsive.

Karblee joined the United Methodist University in 2004 after serving The United Methodist Church in Liberia as director of Connectional Ministries, district superintendent, pastor, chairperson of several boards including Connectional Ministries and Board of Ordained Ministry. 

Julu Swen, a communicator for The United Methodist Church in Liberia, provided this story.

News media contact: Vicki Brown, news editor, [email protected] or 615-742-5469.

Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.

Related Tags

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now
Bishops
The Rev. Nelson Kalombo Ngoy receives congratulations from Council of Bishops President Tracy S. Malone after being elected a United Methodist bishop during the Mid Africa Central Conference in Kitwe, Zambia, on July 12. Ngoy, a Congo native who currently leads a multiracial congregation in New York, was unanimously elected on the sixth ballot. Photo by Chadrack Tambwe Londe, UM News.

Nelson Kalombo Ngoy elected as bishop
The pastor, who currently leads a multiracial congregation in New York, was elected a United Methodist bishop at the Mid Africa Central Conference.
Bishops
Council of Bishops President Tracy S. Malone (right) congratulates the Rev. Mujinga Kashala after her election as a United Methodist bishop on July 12 during the Mid Africa Central Conference in Kitwe, Zambia. Kashala is the second woman elected a United Methodist bishop on the African continent and the first in Mid Africa. Photo by Chadrack Tambwe Londe, UM News.

Mujinga Kashala elected as bishop
The district superintendent and pastor in South Congo is the second woman elected as a United Methodist bishop on the African continent and the first in Mid Africa.
Bishops
The Rev. Antoine Kalema Tambwe receives the United Methodist episcopal pin from Council of Bishops President Tracy S. Malone after his election on July 12 during the Mid Africa Central Conference in Kitwe, Zambia. The longtime district superintendent is the first of three bishops to be elected at the conference, formerly the Congo Central Conference. Photo by Priscilla Muzerengwa, United Methodist Communications.

Antoine Kalema Tambwe elected as bishop
The veteran district superintendent and General Conference delegate was elected a United Methodist bishop at the Mid Africa Central Conference, formerly the Congo Central Conference.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2025 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved