James Edward Douglass

May 18, 1930 – Nov. 7, 2014

Jim was born in Corpus Christi, TX, the son of Julius Elmore and Norma Wink Douglass. He attended schools in Corpus Christi and then went on to graduate from Rice University. After three years in the United States Navy as a communications officer, he returned to school at the University of Texas and earned his PhD. He did post-doctoral work with William Doering at Hickrill Foundation in New York.

Jim taught organic chemistry at the University of Kentucky and at Marshall University, where he also served as chairman of the department. His spare lab time was spent in creating new compounds and sending them off for cancer research. Jim was a member of Sigma Xi honorary and a 50-year member of the American Chemical Society.

While in Huntington, he was an active member of Johnson Memorial Church, serving as usher and Sunday School teacher and working on the church centennial history. He loved travel, symphony, and opera. After moving to Sarasota in 2002, he had the leisure to enjoy all three. He was a loyal member of the First Methodist Church.

Jim is survived by Jean, his wife of 60 years; two sons and daughters-in-law, Richard and Sherri and David and Kimberley; four grandchildren, Timothy, Stephanie, Kayleigh, and Kendall; two great grandchildren, Jordan and Emma; brother David and wife Georgia; and sister Helen and husband Joe.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the First Methodist Church, Saturday, Nov. 22, at 11:00 A.M.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tidewell Hospice or First Methodist Church.