James R. Fruchterman

TUCSON, ARIZ. | James R. Fruchterman, Air Force Officer, Attorney, 78, died Thursday, September 24, 2009, of cancer in Tucson, Arizona.

He was born in Brooklyn, New York, December 21, 1930. He attended Georgetown University where he played football during his undergraduate and law school years. Between undergraduate and law school studies, he served as an officer in the Air Force during the Korean conflict.

He married Ellen Fallon in 1958, and began his career as a trial attorney for the Federal Trade Commission. He relocated his family to the Chicago area to Arlington Heights, Ill., and worked for six years for the law firm of Arnstein Gluck. He then spent many years as an attorney for International Harvester Company (now Navistar). In 1991, he and his beloved wife Ellen retired to Pawleys Island, where they had previously enjoyed many summer vacations with their children.

After Mrs. Fruchterman passed away in 1998, he stayed on in Pawleys Island where he enjoyed playing golf at the Reserve, walking the beach, serving as a lector for Precious Blood of Christ Catholic Church, and enjoying his neighborhood 5 p.m. club in Jerry's garage.

Mr. Fruchterman spent much of the past year with family in Minneapolis and later Tucson. Mr. Fruchterman was preceded in death by his parents Richard and Elizabeth Murphy Fruchterman; his wife, Ellen; and his brother, Richard.

He is survived by six children James (Virginia) Fruchterman, William Fruchterman, Anne (Robert) Hunt, Elizabeth (Denny) Verza, Thomas (Anna) Fruchterman, and Daniel Fruchterman; and eight grandchildren.

Services will be held 10 a.m., October 24, 2009, at Precious Blood of Christ Catholic Church in Pawleys Island, after which his ashes will be interred next to those of his wife.

Memorial contributions may be made to Smile Train, Food for the Poor or Disabled American Veterans.