BOCA RATON — James Herman Dance, a 47-year resident of Boca Raton, died on Oct. 31. He was 82.
Mr. Dance was born in Irwin County, Ga., and was raised in Jacksonville. He graduated from Robert E. Lee High School and Jacksonville University.
As a young boy, he worked countless hours in the Duval County Courthouse assisting lawyers, where his interest in real estate title searches began. He was employed by the Title Insurance Company of the South in Jacksonville before moving to South Florida in 1970 to manage Chelsea Title Insurance Co.
In 1973, Mr. Dance founded and became president of Gold Coast Title Company, which he operated for more than 25 years. In his professional work, he was past president of the Florida Land Title Association and of the board of governors of the American Land Title Association, recipient of the Raymond O. Denham Award, which is the highest honor to be received in the title insurance industry, and he was an honorary life member of the Florida Land Title Association.
Mr. Dance was a member of the First United Methodist Church and was active in community service in Boca Raton for many years.
He served on the building committee of the YMCA, as an honorary trustee of the Boca Raton Historical Society, a founding member of the Economic Council of Palm Beach County, and as an active member and second vice president of the Florida Atlantic Builders Association. He was a member of the Delray Beach Club, the Florida Farm Bureau and the Boca Raton Elks.
In addition, he served for many years with the Boca Raton Board of Realtors, where he received numerous honors. He was a bank director of United Bank, a benefactor of the Boca Raton Community Hospital, and was active in the Riviera Homeowners Association and the Federation of Boca Raton Homeowners. He was also a sponsor of many local youth programs throughout the years.
Mr. Dance’s special interests were antique cars, golfing, fishing, car racing and traveling. His humor, kindness, warmth and strength will be missed.
He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Esther; an aunt, Mildred Scribner of Michigan; two cousins, Karl Scribner and Kenneth Scribner; two sisters-in-law, Carole B. Tiedeman (Walter) and Diane E. Barber; two nieces, Joy B. Mischley and Lisa B. Mischley; two nephews, Jay Wells Tiedeman (Leslie) and Clayton E. Tiedeman (Jocie); two grandnieces, Sara and Clayton; and three grandnephews, Andrew, Jackson and Wesley Tiedeman.
A memorial service was held on Nov. 10 at First United Methodist Church, Boca Raton. Contributions may be made in honor of Herman Dance to First United Methodist Church or the American Heart Association.
— Obituary submitted by the family
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