John Gaylord Fish's Obituary
Went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at the age of 70 on Oct 9, 2008, after a 15 year battle with Multiple Myeloma. He has been a loving husband, father, grandfather, and a friend to all. John was born in Chicago, and grew up in Homewood/Joliet, IL area, later moving to Kalamazoo, MI, where he met and married his wife Shirley of 47 years. He is survived by his wife, four children: Duane, Steven, Connie, James, daughters-in-law: Elaine, Tracy, Jennifer, and 9 grandchildren. Other surviving family members: brother Richard and wife Chari Fish of Aurora, CO, and sister Debbie and her husband Stephen Donoghue of St Joseph MI, many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. John graduated from western Michigan in 1962 with a BS in both Chemistry and Physics. He then earned his Ph.D. in Physical Organic Chemistry at the University of Cincinnati in 1968. He and the family moved to Richardson in 1966 where he began employment with Texas Instruments as a research chemist developing organosilicon compounds receiving three US Patents. Later he developed the process for the ultrapurification of chorosilanes. He then initiated the Polymer lab of the Central Research Laboratory (CRL) providing extensive chemical and polymer analysis/characterization services to all production divisions of TI. Here, six additional US patents were issued. In 1979, John began recruiting of PhD graduates for TI until his early retirement in 1994 due to illness. In his final years, John remained active within his church and community. He kept his heart in chemistry as an Adjunct Professor of Chemistry at the University of Texas at Dallas. There he was the Industrial Practicum Coordinator. He was an ardent lover of classical music. This passion for music was expressed in his participation in the 1st Baptist Church Richardson’s Adult Choir, Goldenaires, and Men’s Chorus. Additionally, John taught English-as-a-Second-Language to foreign students, and emigres. John also took charge of the Highland Terrace Neighborhood Crime Watch, participated in many Civic affairs, and was an active participant in the Jack Kilby Foundation. Visitation will be from 5 to 7PM Sunday October 12, 2008 at Restland Funeral Home. Funeral service will be at 1PM Monday October 13, 2008 at 1st Baptist Church Richardson. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to be made to The Gideon’s International.
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