James “Jim” Church
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James “Jim“ Church,85, died October 14, 2020, at Bridge Haven in Lawrence. He was born June 2, 1935, in Lincoln, Nebraska. His parents were Bernard and Ethel (Meyers) Church.
He graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1957 and served in the U.S. Navy for three years. He returned to the University of Nebraska and received a Ph.D. in 1966.
Jim worked at the Math Research Center at the University of Wisconsin (Madison) and was on the faculty of the University of Wisconsin (Whitewater). He and Ann Pettus were married in 1965, and they moved to Lawrence in 1967. For 40 years he was a Professor of Mathematics at the University of Kansas where he taught statistics and probability. His research was published in various statistical journals. With Darwin Daicoff and Ben Cobb, he was a statistical consultant for a number of trucking companies and the states of Washington, Texas, and Kansas.
Jim is survived by his wife, Ann, of the home, and his son, James(Diane), and grandchildren; Jacob, Sarah, and Joey.
He was preceded in death by son, Robert Church, and sister, Marilyn Church Vanosdall.
Jim was an avid reader and collector of classic science fiction. He will be remembered by family and friends as a legendary storyteller and his infectious laugh.
I am so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. May peace be with you all.
Sorry to learn of Jim’s passing. My condolences to the family. I worked with Jim in the KU Math Department for nineteen years. He was always a joy to be around. I am fortunate for having known him.
Jim was one of the best professors I ever sat under. He allowed me so much freedom in statistics and experimental design classes. He contributed greatly to the my Ph.D. in experimental design modeling. He was open to the challenges presented by me often changing the direction of his classes because of those challenges. There isn’t a year that I don’t think of Jim and his contributions 40 years ago to my education, research and subsequent university and industrial careers. Thank you. My condolences to his family.
Dear All,
This is Mo Noursalehi one of Professor Church’s graduate students in the Math department back in early 90s. I had great admiration for him on all levels. He was a very honorable man, great friend, fantastic academician and with great humanity. I loved him on all those levels. I wish that I had seen him one more time before he left us, but I know for a fact that is in a much better place now.
Jim, I love you and always thinking about you and your kindness, and several classes of yours that you made me teach in your behalf to transfer industry experience and vision to your students.
My condolences to the family and loved ones. I am sorry for your great loss. May God be with you all and wish Jim the heavens and much more.
Ann and family,
I am sad to learn of Jim’s death. Although I never met him, I knew that he was a legendary professor at KU. The world is better because he was in it. You are in my heart and on my mind as you learn to live without him.