Lt. Col. James Ervin Sloan, Jr. Ret., 90, departed this earth on Wednesday, March 9, 2022 from his home on Dutch Island.

“Erv” was born June 4, 1931 in Savannah, GA of proud Scotch-Irish heritage.  His late parents were James E. Sloan and Delia King Sloan.  He’s also predeceased by his son, Gregory B. Sloan; daughter-in-law, Linda Sloan; stepson, James H. Allen, Jr; grandson, Garrett Sloan; and brothers, Walter M. King, Frank King, James Henry Sloan, and Robert Sloan.

Erv was a 1949 graduate of Savannah High School.  He attended Armstrong College before transferring to Georgia Tech to pursue Electrical Engineering.  At 17 years of age, he joined the Georgia Army National Guard and served 24 years, retiring as Lt. Colonel after his last command assignment in the 82nd Maneuver Command in Birmingham, Alabama. 

He was an active member of the Isle of Hope Methodist Church and Seekers Sunday School, having served as chairman on the Board of Trustees, the Ushers Committee, the Finance Committee, and United Methodist Men.  Erv helped on Missions Teams, both construction and medical, for Isle of Hope and Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church.  He was an active member of Coastal Georgia Walk to Emmaus Community.  For many years he was active with Kairos Prison Ministries. In 2017, he completed training to become a Stephen Minister.

Erv was known as a “Mr. Fix It.”  It has been said, “If Erv can’t fix it, it can’t be fixed.”

He was employed by Union Camp (International Paper) for 18 years in electrical instrumentation; four years with Rust Engineering of Birmingham, which assigned him to jobs all over the U.S.  He returned to Savannah in May of 1974 and formed Sloan Electric Co, Inc.  He established unlimited electric licensing in Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina before retiring in June of 1996.  He was an Honorary Member of the Home Builders Association.  He attained a lifetime membership to the Chatham Artillery for over 70 years of service.

He was a member and past president of Savannah Volunteer Guards and Alee Temple Clown Unit, member of Scottish Rite and Clinton Lodge #54, past chairman of Juvenile Court Citizens Review Panel, and on Chatham County Appeals Board.

Erv was an avid fisherman and loved watching sports, especially FOOTBALL.  He enjoyed many years of boating, camping, snow skiing, and traveling; with many memorable trips to the Holyland, Great Britain, France, Alaska, Hawaii, the Cayman Islands, and St. Thomas of the Virgin Islands. They traveled with a travel trailer to Canada and to the Bahamas in their own yacht. 

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Martha Zeigler Allen Sloan; children, James E. Sloan, III, Michael L. Sloan, and Janice S. Dukeman; grandchildren, Nicole L. Dukeman (James Palmer) and Michael L. Sloan II (Eleni); greatgrandchildren, Brianna and Jacob Palmer, Kailani and Carleigh Sloan; step-grandchildren, Sheri Neidlinger (Ricky), Erin Watson, and Sean Allen (Natalie); Step-great grandchildren, Kelly N. Pass, Caroline N. Echols, Rebecca Neidlinger, Ellie Watson, Sydney and Kinsley Allen, and Preston and Sean Palmer; three step-great-great grandchildren, Miles, Whit, and Bryce; step-daughter-in-law, Lisa Allen.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, March 14, 2022, at Isle of Hope United Methodist Church, with visitation at 1 p.m.

Pallbearers: James Rody, Ronnie Lusk, Ed Garvin, Rev. Billy Miller, David Butler, and Joe Thigpen.  Honorary pallbearers: Members of Savannah Volunteer Guard, Chatham Artillery, and the Alee Clown Unit.

Special thanks to the ladies of Vickie’s Helping Hands, who lovingly cared for Erv.

In lieu of flowers, you may send donations to Isle of Hope United Methodist Church.