James Lowell Fifer died peacefully, at home, on August 28, 2010.
A native Akronite, Lowell was born at home on Oct. 26, 1917 to James A. and Edna Antles Fifer. He attended local schools and graduated from the University of Akron with a BA and a MA in Education. After graduation he taught Math, History and English at the Baylor School and Riverside Military Academy. Lowell served in the Southwest Pacific Theater with the Army from 1941 to 1946 and was awarded The Bronze Star. He retired from the Army Reserves in 1977 as a Lieutenant Colonel. Lowell was employed for 32 years by the B.F. Goodrich Company in the Workers Compensation Department. He was active in state and national professional organizations.
Lowell was married to Jane Spore in 1943 and they had son, Ronald (Kay) and their son, Matt (deceased); daughter, Linda Egert (Tony) and their sons, Dennis and Andrew Egert (Jacqueline); and great-grandsons, Landon and Liam Egert. After Jane’s death in 1987, he met and married Helen Slocum Wyant. He felt blessed by having her family become part of his: son, Robert Wyant; daughter, Laurie Wyant-Zenni; and Laurie’s children, Christopher, Jennifer and Megan Fitzwater, and Helen’s sister-in-law, Marjorie Slocum and her family. Lowell was preceded in death by his sisters, Madeline Fifer and Marceil Fuchs (Fred). Marceil’s daughters, Marilyn Tempest (Harry) and Carol Sjolund (David) continue to be an important part of his family.
Lowell volunteered with the Red Cross, Edwin Shaw Hospital and Grace UCC Hunger Program. He enjoyed bowling, bridge, cross-word puzzles and reading. He was an active member of West Akron Kiwanis, and a member of the Bath United Church of Christ where he enjoyed singing with the Sanguine Singers and making bread with the Breadwinners.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, September 3rd., at Bath United Church of Christ, 3980 W. Bath Rd. Friends may visit with the family an hour before the service. Those who wish may make donations to the West Akron Kiwanis Foundation, c/o Robert MacCallum, 1148 W. Market St., Akron, OH 44313 or to the charity of their choice.