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
Central Conferences
Dr. Ursula Norah Nyamandi, a government medical officer at the Nyadire Mission Hospital in Zimbabwe, monitors the condition of John Gwata, 87, who is anemic. Critical upgrades sponsored by the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, mean the Old Mutare and Nyadire mission hospitals are better equipped to provide high-quality health care in rural settings. Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News.

Mission agency’s support revitalizes hospitals
With support from the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, Old Mutare and Nyadire mission hospitals are now better equipped to provide high-quality health care in rural settings.
Disaster Relief
Kashalile Bony (right), a United Methodist from the Bethlehem Local Church in Kadutu, Congo, searches through the rubble of his burned-down house on Kaduru Avenue in Bukavu in eastern Congo. United Methodists are among nearly 1,500 families who lost their homes in a devastating fire on July 17. Photo courtesy of the Bukavu District.

Fire devastates church families in eastern Congo
United Methodists are among nearly 1,500 families who lost their homes in a fire that ravaged a densely populated area of war-torn Bukavu.
Global Health
Dr. Lyduine Baradahana (left), Burundi Minister of Public Health and AIDS Control, cuts the ribbon at the inauguration ceremony for the Gahambwe Health Center in Burundi’s Ruyigi province, alongside United Methodist Bishop Emmanuel Sinzohagera (center) and the Rev. Japhet Nderibicuro, superintendent of the Kinyinya District. The event marks the culmination of a partnership between The United Methodist Church of Burundi and the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries to improve access to health care in the region. Photo by Jérôme Ndayisenga, UM News.

Church builds medical facility in Burundi
The United Methodist Church of Burundi has inaugurated the Gahambwe Health Center, ending decades of struggle to access health care.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2025 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved