James Donald Fuchs

James Donald “Jake” Fuchs, Sr., of Lake Jackson, Texas, passed away peacefully at the age of 74, in Angleton, Texas, of Alzheimer’s Disease. The eldest of five children born to John and Peggy Fuchs, Jake was born in Bryan and lived the majority of his life in Angleton and Lake Jackson. His nickname “Jake” was homage to his grandfather, Jacob Fuchs.

A proud Texan and Eagle Scout, growing up Jake enjoyed scuba diving and photography. While his four siblings could be found helping at the family’s City Drug, Jake was often off reading in a corner.

Jake was the first American Field Service international exchange student from Angleton High School and his year in Concepcion, Chile fundamentally impacted who he was as a person. Jake loved foreign languages, especially Spanish, which he spoke at any opportunity. His interest in nature was so strong his goal was to become a park ranger, but his father convinced him to try medical school instead. After graduating from the University of Texas with a major in Biology and minor in Classical Studies, he attended Baylor College of Medicine, specializing in Radiology. He met his future wife Mary at the end of his second year; the two were married within six months and remained so for the next 49 years.

John O’Leary, MD recruited Jake to join him at the Community Hospital of Brazosport and Jake brought with him the new skills of ultrasound and computerized tomography (CT). The hospital was uncertain about these latest technologies, so Dr. O’Leary and Jake purchased the first ultrasound machine for the Brazosport community.

Like his father before him, Jake was devoted to caring for people. Jake truly never met a stranger and as a radiologist, parent and friend, he was dedicated, loyal, and animated. He insisted on sharing radiology interpretations with each patient and answering their questions. Before teleradiology improved his work-life balance, Jake was captive to telephone calls at all hours, often spending nights and weekends reading images and dictating reports for patients in the emergency room then continuing to work through the following day. Jake practiced in Lake Jackson until his retirement in 2007.

As Jake would tell you, his love for his children, James and Kathleen, was “infinite”, and he found joy spending as much time as possible with them.

Jake’s love of his country ran deep and he joined the U.S. Army Reserve as a Major during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

Having a voracious appetite for reading and knowledge, especially Greek and Roman history, the American Civil War, and War World II, Jake was always eager to share stories of past glory with anyone willing (or simply available) to listen. He was at his happiest exploring historical sites, returning to Rome many times through the years, discovering Roman stone walls in English fields, and enthusiastically sharing his knowledge of battlefields with his family. He treasured his D-Day to the Rhine trip with Mary’s Dad and meeting veterans who had fought in the battle.

Jake and Mary enjoyed traveling with groups of friends to national parks and historical sites. In Alaska they walked on the ice, canoed, and watched whales breach under their small boat. His visits to Mary’s family in Japan absolutely delighted him.

His love of science-fiction included the stars. When the Planetarium was added to the Center for the Arts & Sciences, Jake was an eager donor. At the dedication, Jake, being Jake, brought his copy of Tales of The South Pacific to the guest of honor, James Michener, to share the inscriptions on the cover from his grandmother to his mother and then his mother on to him ending with “To the oldest child, of the oldest child, of the oldest child”. Michener was delighted and added his own dedication to all three of them. That copy of Tales of the South Pacific was one of his greatest treasures.

Jake is preceded by his beloved grandmother, Gladys Lee Christy of Wharton who nurtured him with attention all the years of her long life, his parents Peggy and John Fuchs of Angleton, and his brother Michael Fuchs of Angleton. He is survived by his wife Mary Fuchs of Lake Jackson, his children James D. Fuchs, Jr. of Lake Jackson and Kathleen LeFevre of Katy, his grandchildren Carson LeFevre and Nolan LeFevre, and his siblings John “Brother” Fuchs of Gale, Mary Jo Bates, and Patrick Fuchs, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Jake is already greatly missed. Heartfelt thanks to Lance Tolbert, the Panera Coffee group, St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, Country Village Care in Angleton, the outstanding medical staff at UTMB Health Angleton Danbury Hospital & Mohammad Khan, MD.

Please join us for a celebration of life at Restwood Funeral Home, 1038 W. Plantation Drive, Clute on Saturday, May 31, visitation at 10:00 a.m. service at 10:30. Family and friends are encouraged to share their favorite memories of Jake at that time.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the National Park Foundation, give.nationalparks.org