Jimmie was born in Hagerstown, Maryland in 1947 and was raised in the First Brethren Church of Hagerstown to Brethren parents.  He was baptized by Triune Emersion in 1958.  Attended Ashland College and Ashland Theological Seminary and graduated with an MD. degree in 1972.  Pioneered several new ministries in the Brethren Church. Retired in 2016 after 45 years as manager of commercial/industrial electric and owner of Sparky's Electric Service. Married Carol E. Deeter of Dayton, Ohio in July 1968 and has three children and nine grandchildren. He joined the Board of Directors of the Brethren Heritage Center in 2020 and became chair of this board in 2023.