James L. Fedrick

Dr. James Love Fedrick, husband of Carolyn Fedrick, passed away on April 9th, 2014 in Lawrence, Kansas, surrounded by his wife and four children. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 12, 2014 at St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Lawrence.
He was born in 1930 in Lordsburg, New Mexico, attended high school in Phoenix, Arizona and attended college at the University of Arizona, where he earned his BS and MS degrees. Jim worked for the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey in the Artic Field Party in the summers of 1952 and 1953 while attending school.
Jim went on to earn a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Illinois in 1959 and spent his career working in a large pharmaceutical company as a research chemist and later as a director of several departments, including the Research, Fine Chemicals, Medicinal Products, International, and Pharmaceutical and Mechanical Development departments.
Jim’s greatest joy came from his wife and family. He met his wife, Carolyn, at the University of Arizona and later married in 1964, enjoying 50 years of a wonderful marriage. Together they raised four children, who currently span the country between Los Angeles, Lawrence, and Washington D.C. , and enjoyed watching the development of their 5 grandchildren. Jim and Carolyn raised their children in New Jersey and moved to Kansas after retiring to be near their daughter and first grandchild. Family vacations and holiday gatherings in Lawrence will always be remembered fondly.
Jim was a devout Catholic who was guided by his faith. He was involved with the religious group Opus Dei for 25 years, and was also an avid runner, completing 9 marathons. He was beloved as a kind and gentle soul, someone who lived his life as an example to others, and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.