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James Edwin Wilmarth, age 64, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, June 17, 2006. He was born in Cortez, CO, September 24, 1941. Jim was raised in Albuquerque and graduated from Sandia High School in 1960. While serving in the Air Force, Jim graduated from Allen Hancock College, Santa Maria, CA, in 1962, with an Associate of Arts degree. After being honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1963, Jim enrolled in the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque and continued taking courses. He went to work for Dynnalectron Corporation at Holloman AFB, working on the timing and firing distribution center at the White Sands Missile Range. In 1965, Jim went to work for EG&G and went to Carswell AFB, Fort Worth, TX, for Physiological training. From there he was assigned to Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, NV, flying C-130 aircraft for the Tactical Air Command to evaluate combat low-altitude flying crews and aircraft. He assisted in the special maintenance of the RB-57F high-altitude sampling aircraft at Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque. In 1966 and 1967, Jim worked in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Hawaii, installing and working on ground stations and on the Nuclear Atmospheric Readiness Program at Sandia National Laboratory. Jim joined the Los Alamos National Laboratory in 1968 as a member of GMX Division. In 1971, he transferred to the Los Alamos Meson Physics Facility (LAMPF), now known as the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE), a half-mile-long linear accelerator. Jim was responsible for the experimental area's instrumentation and controls, working closely with Pan Am engineering and the MP Division office. He was especially known for his precise documentation and his record-keeping skills. His systems were meticulously documented, both in his system sketches and in the formal drawings prepared by drafting personnel. Notebooks full of documentation filled bookcases in his office. Jim had a special gift for mentoring students, patiently working with them, exposing them to the work environment, and giving them the opportunity to learn. Jim worked at LAMPF until he retired in June 2001. Jim was an avid genealogist, filling his home office with notebooks full of family history documentation. He loved travel, airplanes, science, good food, but mostly people. He made everyone feel important and when he heard criticism, he always responded with a smile, "They're doing the best they can." He was a loving father, son, and husband. Jim is survived by his wife, Claudette Wilmarth of Santa Fe; his sons, Jeffery (Diana) of Salem, UT, and Daniel (Pamela) of Grand Junction, CO; step-son, Michael Lusk (Heather) of Albuquerque; three precious granddaughters, Melissa (Isaias) Gonzalez and Myah Wilmarth of Salem, UT, and Halee Lusk of Albuquerque; mother, Nedra Wilmarth of Albuquerque; brother, Bill (Mary) of Green River, UT, and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Elmer Wilmarth and step-son, Matthew Lusk. A Memorial Service will be held at Strong Thorne Mortuary in Albuquerque on Thursday, June 22, 2006, at 3:00 p.m. Interment and Graveside Services will be at Cortez Cemetery, Cortez, CO, July 15, 2006, at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Casa Esperanza, 1005 Yale Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106. All arrangements are under the care and direction of: Strong-Thorne Mortuary 1100 Coal Ave. SE 842-8800
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