James passed away peacefully on 27 May 2017, aged 92. He was a former Dundee High School Head of Chemistry, Senior Master, and Scottish Examination Board Principal Examiner of Chemistry.
Born in Carnoustie, in March 1925, James was educated at Arbroath Academy, and later, the University of St Andrews. Upon graduating from University in 1946, he commenced employment with BX Plastics, where he worked as a Research and Development Chemist until 1953.
Returning to St Andrews to complete his Diploma in Education, James then joined the staff of Dundee High School in 1954. It was from this position that he became Senior Science Master, and Principal Teacher of Chemistry. His career spanned 46 years, finally retiring in 2000.
In addition to his teaching career, he was a prominent figure on the Scottish Examination Board. In this capacity, he joined various working parties that included the setting of national examination papers. Furthermore, he held the position of Principal Examiner of Sixth Year studies in Chemistry for Scotland.
James was also an active member, and fellow, of the Royal Society of Chemistry, as well as a founding member of the Tayside section. Further to this, he also held a life-membership to the Royal Tay Yacht Club, the Incorporation of the Tailer’s Trade of Dundee – of which he was Deacon in 2004 / 2005.
Additionally, he was a long-standing member of the Congregation of St. Luke’s Church and Queen Street Church of Scotland, in Broughty Ferry. Latterly he was also a member of Panbride Church, in Carnoustie. His greatest passion was golf, being a life-member of Carnoustie Golf Club, which he joined in 1944.
Throughout his retirement, James followed all news of the School with great interest, and remembered with huge affection the generations of pupils that he had taught.
He was delighted that his grandchildren attended the School, thereby continuing the familial attendance for another generation.
He is survived by his wife Sophie, son Graeme, daughter Carolyn, and his grandchildren & great grandchildren.
