Dr. James Lafferty

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University of Kentucky University of Michigan University of Southern California

James Lafferty Obituary

LAFFERTY Dr. James Francis, 83, of Cashiers, NC died Sunday, November 3, 2013. He was born in Pampa, TX, the son of Francis Gaines Lafferty and the Rev. John Patrick Lafferty. He grew up in the Masonic Orphans Home in Louisville and finished high school in Warren County, KY. He was the founder and President of Lafferty Engineering, a consulting firm engaged in Biomechanics and Mechanical Engineering. At the time of his death he was a Professor-Director Emeritus of the University of Kentucky Graduate Center for Biomedical Engineering, a program he developed and implanted. He was a professor at the University of Kentucky for 32 years. Through a joint appointment, he served as Professor in the department of Physiology and Biophysics; he was a member of the Board of Directors of the U.K. Research Foundation and was a staff member of the Shriners Children's Hospital. He received Outstanding Teacher Awards in both Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering while on the U.K. faculty. He was also inducted into the Warren County Schools Hall of Distinguished Alumni; class of 2013. He was a registered Professional Engineer. Dr. Lafferty attended Western Kentucky State University and received his B.S. degree in engineering from the University of Kentucky, received his M.S. degree from the University of Southern California and his Ph.D. degree from the University of Michigan. He served with the U.S. Army in Korea in 1950-1951. He had been a member of the Lexington Rotary Club and also the Rotary Club of Cashiers Valley, North Carolina. A son, Patrick Gaines Lafferty preceded him death. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Vivian Long Lafferty; a son, James Earl Lafferty of St. Petersburg, FL; a daughter, Laura L. Childers and two grandchildren, Ashley Nicole and John Patrick Wilson, all of Lexington, KY. Memorials are suggested for the Patrick Lafferty Memorial Garden, Crestwood Christian Church, 1882 Bellefonte Drive, Lexington, KY 40503. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Lexington, KY. An online registry is available at www.appalachianfuneralservices.com

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Published by Lexington Herald-Leader on Nov. 5, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for James Lafferty

7 Entries

Murali Kadaba

February 10, 2014

Dear Mrs. Lafferty (Vivian),

I was indeed sad to her the sad news about Dr. Lafferty. My heartfelt condolences to you and your family.

I was the second PhD student in Biomedical engineering program and had the honor and pleasure of speaking with Dr.Lafferty on many afternoons both about engineering and life in general over a period of 5 years. I used to look forward to the yearly barbecue in your backyard in Lexington where I would get the opportunity to spend the afternoon with Dr. Lafferty and assist him in barbecuing.

I am sorry that I did not have an opportunity to see him after my graduation.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.

God bless,

Murali P. Kadaba

Susan Lantz

December 4, 2013

Dear Mrs. Lafferty,

I was shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Lafferty. He was a wonderful man, and he had more influence on my career than he probably ever realized when he offered "that hard-working girl in the junior class engineering lab" a job in his lab, then a research assistantship to get a M.S. His example and advice have served me well througohout my career.

I hope that, in time, your memories will blunt the blow of his loss.

Martina Butler

November 11, 2013

I worked for Jin at the Wenner Gren Lab and have the fondest memories.
I offer my sincere condolences,
Martina Butler

Mary Morton-Gibson

November 8, 2013

I received a BS in Mechanical Engineering in 1963. Jim was one of the most important influences in my career. He helped me with the Dean of Women when she said I could not go to conference in Atlanta since I was the only woman going. As the only female ME I was in s quandry. Jim convinced her!

Robert E. Reeves

November 5, 2013

Dear Vivian,

I was shocked and sadden to hear of Jim's passing. He was one of those wonderful people you wanted to live forever. It has been years since I have hiked with you or used Dr. Lafferty as an expert witness. He was so knowledgeable, calmly sure and unshakeable in his position. He made the cases so easy for me. Just knowing he is gone is difficult.

Bob

November 5, 2013

Thinking of you with love.

Bob and Polly Dickson

Joyce Evans

November 5, 2013

Dearest Vivian, Laura and Jim,
What to say? This is a shock, I'd always thought I would have the chance to tell Jim how much I loved and admired him. He was the person who got me started in research and he always supported me at every turn in my career. This lab is sad today, but it is a better laboratory because of his committment to Biomedical Engineering at the University of Kentucky, both its teaching and its research missions. Those early years of developing a program were difficult but look at the rewards that are paying off now. Just this semester, we became a department in the College of Engineering, there is talk of an undergraduate program, and currently we have 40 graduate students pursuing PhD or Master's degrees. This is a legacy that he would be proud of. We are thinking of youall. Love, Joyce

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