|
|
1939 - 2011
 Dr. James Otis Brumfield, PhD., 71, of Huntington, WV, passed away Saturday October 8, 2011, from cancer, at St. Marys Medical Center, Huntington. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 pm Thursday at the Marshall University Campus Christian Center, the corner of 17th Street and 5th Avenue by Monsignor Lawrence Luciana. Entombment will follow in Woodmere Memorial Park, Corridor of Faith, Huntington. He was born October 17, 1939 in Huntington, WV a son of the late Millard Otis and Melita Alice Snair Brumfield.
Jim was the longest serving current faculty member at Marshall University. He was a member of the Department of Biological Sciences and this is his 48th year of service to the University. He had earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics from Marshall University, a Master of Science Degree in Biological Sciences from Marshall University, and a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Geobiophysical Modeling form the Union Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio. He had been an Education Fellowship Recipient as a Faculty Fellow and Researcher in geomorphology and mining through NASA\ASEE-American Society of Engineering Education.
He was granted a Fulbright Fellowship to work in the Kyrgyz Republic. His cooperative discussions with scientists and administrators included interaction with Institutes of Geology, Biotechnology, and Biology and Soils of the Kyrgyz Technical University, the Slavic University, the Ministry of Ecology and Emergencies of the Kyrgyz Republic, and the International Science and Technology Center. Additional international cooperative efforts were with Dresden University of Technology, Germany and the University of Graz, Austria.
Jim was an innovator in the area of Geospatial Science and Image Processing at Marshall University. He founded courses in Remote Sensing, Image Processing, and Geographical Information System on campus through a thirty-plus year collaboration and friendship with Ralph Oberly of the Department of Physics and Physical Science.
He was also a former member of the Civil Air Patrol.
Survivors include two sons James Otis Brumfield, II and Scott Degler Burdette Brumfield both of Huntington; a daughter Ethelyn Michelle Brumfield of Huntington; adopted daughter Chuyen Nguyen of Huntington; three grandchildren David Blaine Brumfield, Rianna Michelle Brumfield and Evan Nicholas Brumfield; a brother Dr. Michael Andrew Brumfield and his wife Jane Brumfield of Lewisburg, WV; three nephews Chris Brumfield, John Brumfield and Michael Bennett; two nieces Amy Dick and Stephanie Fleshman; Jim will be sorely missed by special friends Chuck Summerville, Dean of the College of Science, Randy Jones, Ralph Oberly, Larry Kyle, Dick Petit and especially Chuyen Nguyen and a host of beloved students. Friends may call from 11 am until 1 pm Thursday at the Marshall University Campus Christian Center. Reger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.timeformemory.com/reger.
|
|
There are currently 9 condolences.
George Myers
Thursday March 8, 2012 at
10:51 PM
|
I knew Jim when we were at a CAP summer encampment back in 1957. He had saved a life in a possible drowning that summer. The following year I moved to CA to go to college and that encampment was the last time that I saw Jim. We were just teenagers then but he was a good leader and friend that summer.
|
| |
Lorena Guerrero
Saturday December 24, 2011 at
2:04 PM
|
Dr. Brumfield was my boss but also one of my most beloved friends. I worked for him for almost one year in 2003 and since then we kept writing each other almost daily. He has been one of the most influential persons in my life. He was generous, kind, bright and he made people around him better persons. I will always keep him in my heart.
|
| |
Nikki Watts Stillwell
Saturday October 15, 2011 at
3:46 AM
|
Your Dad changed many lives and will forever live on! He loved his kids. My heartfelt love and comfort to you all.
Nikki
|
| |
Carol Meredith & Diane Browning
Thursday October 13, 2011 at
10:55 AM
|
Michelle & Family
So sorry for the loss of your father. We know what it is like to lose a father as we both have too lost ours. Praying that God will comfort you in the days to come as you grieve your loss. Sincerely,
Carol & Diane (State Farm)
|
| |
David
Thursday October 13, 2011 at
7:59 AM
|
I too was a student of his and will always be grateful for his contributions in my life. Truly a nice man.
|
| |
Gail Thompson and David Miller
Wednesday October 12, 2011 at
10:40 PM
|
Michelle and Riri,
Dad and I send our deepest sympathy to you and your family. I never had a chance to meet your father while attending Marshall, but I'm sure I would've enjoyed learning from him. We hope you find peace and comfort in the coming days. Love and prayers.
|
| |
Theresa Litteral
Wednesday October 12, 2011 at
9:06 PM
|
My heart has completely broken, I have lost such a wonderful friend. I cannot imagine my life without Brummy being a part of it. We made many wonderful, funny, exciting, goofy memories together, I would not be the person I am today without the times we had together. I am forever grateful for everything we went through, everything he did for me & I feel very fortunate that I was lucky to have had Brummy as part of my family. I will miss him every day & think about all of our fond memories & he will never be forgotten. I loved him very much. My deepest heartfelt condolences to family & friends
|
| |
Kyle G. McMullen, CPA, Emeritus Professor of Taxation
Wednesday October 12, 2011 at
4:21 PM
|
Jim was my long-time friend and colleague, and I'm so sorry for your loss. Marshall University has lost a great scholar.
|
| |
James Taylor
Wednesday October 12, 2011 at
3:58 PM
|
I'm saddened to learn of Dr. Brumfield's passing. He made learning biology fun and interesting when I was one of many of his students in the early 70s. Dr. Brumfield always offered a smile when speaking with you. My condolences to his family.
|
| |
|
