Dr. James J. Lux

On Monday, March 12, 2007, our father, Dr. James J. Lux, died peacefully in his sleep at home, surrounded by his children. The rain had just stopped and the sun brought with it the singing birds. Dad would have liked the day. Our Dad was a resident of Olympia for 51 years, raising the five of us and practicing medicine. He was born in 1919 in New Hartford, New York, the eldest of four sons born to Fordyce and Anna Lux. At the age of 21, Dad joined the United States Army Air Corps. He attained the rank of 2nd Lieutenant and was awarded a Purple Heart. On an early mission, Dad was captured and spent two years in a German prison camp until it was liberated by General Patton and his troops. Dad's parents were most fortunate in that all four of their boys returned safely from the war. In 1945, shortly after his return home, Dad married our mother, Mary Stuart Lux. Dad then attended Cornell University and then the University of Rochester Medical School. He did his residencies at the Rochester Strong Memorial Hospital and Vanderbilt University. Dad and Mom moved to Olympia in 1956 with their first three children, Jimmy, Wendy, and Gretchen. Anne and Sarah were born in Olympia. Professionally, Dad was one of the early members of the newly-formed Memorial Clinic, continuing his practice in internal medicine until retiring in 1988. One of Dad's greatest joys in life was caring for his patients. Throughout his life, Dad was a lover of the outdoors. For many years, he enjoyed fishing and hunting, including high hunts on horseback. His life was also filled with bird watching, crossword puzzles, gardening, gourmet cooking, and reading. Dad thoroughly enjoyed the company of his dogs over the years and his cat, "Kitty". Dad is survived by his brothers, Bill and Don Lux, both of upstate New York; his first wife of 26 years, Mary Stuart Lux; and us, Jim Lux, Jr. (Lisa), Wendy Lux, Gretchen Lux (Bonnie), Anne Lux (Steve), and Sarah Lux, all of Olympia. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Amy Clark (Chris), and their two children, Ariel and Colty, Jimmy, Carly, and Nina Holbrooks, and Richard and Sarah Lerch. Dad is also survived by his second wife, Mil Morgan, of Alabama. Our Dad was gentle, kind, and private. There will be a celebration of life gathering later this spring; details will be announced in The Olympian's Occasions section. In lieu of flowers, our Dad will be honored by a donation to one of his favorite charities, SafePlace or the World Wildlife Foundation. Or, if you wish, you could simply go outside, listen to the birds, and send our Dad your wishes. Please leave memories and condolences online at: www.funeralalternatives.org Arrangements by Funeral Alternatives of Washington, (360) 753-1065.