Dr. Jason E. James, Sullivan, Illinois, passed away Sunday, January 21. Dr. James was a former AASV member and 1983 Swine Practitioner of the Year. His obituary follows.
SULLIVAN – Jason Elliott James, DVM, 77, of Sullivan, died 10:25 a.m. Sunday (January 21, 2007) in St. Mary’s Hospital, Decatur. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday in the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Dr. Garry Gromley officiating. Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Thursday. Burial will be in the Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. Memorials are suggested to the Sullivan Fire and Ambulance Service, American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association. Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.reedfuneralhome.net.
Jason was born September 28, 1929 in Good Hope, Illinois, the son of Gale and Lois Elliott James. He received his BS Degree from Carthage College in 1951, a MS Degree in Animal Nutrition in 1953 and a DVM Degree in 1957 from the University of Illinois. He operated his general practice in Sullivan from 1957 until his retirement in 1996.
He industriously pursued several special fields of interest, one of which was specific pathogen free laboratory established in 1959. He also aided in establishing the Illinois SPF Association. He was instrumental in exporting United States Laboratory reared piglets to foreign countries. He pioneered embryo transfer as a method of introducing new genetics into swine herds. In 1981 the Sullivan Embryo Transfer Center was established.
Jason received the National SPF Award in 1980, 25 year Service Award for the Moultrie County Dairy Farmers Association in 1981, 1983 Swine Practitioner of the Year Award, Moultrie County Hog Producer Recognition Award in 1984, 1985 ISVMA Special Recognition Award, he had numerous articles published in periodicals concerning embryo transfer 1974-1986, served as a Adjunct Assistant Professor of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois in 1984. During his years of practice, he held membership in the Sullivan First United Methodist Church, AVMA, ISVMA, American Association of Swine Practitioners, International Embryo Transfer Association, Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association-Swine Disease Research Committee, Illinois S.V.M.A. Economic Management Committee and the Indiana Veterinarian Medical Association.
His most treasured possession was his family. Jason married Mary E. White on July 3, 1955 in Augusta, Illinois and she survives in Sullivan, sons, David M. James and his wife Jackie of Lovington, Robert W. James and his wife Sarah of Shelbyville and his special treasure was his granddaughter, Kaya Sue James of Lovington. He also had several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother.
He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and will be greatly missed by his family and host of friends.
Obituary written by family members. Online guest book at http://www.legacy.com/herald-review/Obituaries.asp
Published in the Decatur Herald & Review on 1/23/2007.