Obituary of James Francis Lafferty

Dr. James Francis Lafferty, 83, of Cashiers, NC died Sunday, November 3, 2013. He was born in Pampa, TX, the son of Francis Gaines Lafferty and the Rev. John Patrick Lafferty. He grew up in the Masonic Orphans Home in Louisville and finished high school in Warren County, KY. He was the founder and President of Lafferty Engineering, a consulting firm engaged in Biomechanics and Mechanical Engineering. At the time of his death he was a Professor-Director Emeritus of the University of Kentucky Graduate Center for Biomedical Engineering, a program he developed and implanted. He was a professor at the University of Kentucky for 32 years. Through a joint appointment, he served as Professor in the department of Physiology and Biophysics; he was a member of the Board of Directors of the U.K. Research Foundation and was a staff member of the Shriners Children’s Hospital. He received Outstanding Teacher Awards in both Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering while on the U.K. faculty. He was also inducted into the Warren County Schools Hall of Distinguished Alumni; class of 2013.He was a registered Professional Engineer. Dr. Lafferty attended Western Kentucky State University and received his B.S. degree in engineering from the University of Kentucky, received his M.S. degree from the University of Southern California and his Ph.D. degree from the University of Michigan. He served with the U.S. Army in Korea in 1950-1951. He had been a member of the Lexington Rotary Club and also the Rotary Club of Cashiers Valley, North Carolina. A son, Patrick Gaines Lafferty preceded him death. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Vivian Long Lafferty; a son, James Earl Lafferty of St. Petersburg, FL; a daughter, Laura L. Childers and two grandchildren, Ashley Nicole and John Patrick Wilson, all of Lexington, KY. Memorials are suggested for the Patrick Lafferty Memorial Garden, Crestwood Christian Church, 1882 Bellefonte Drive, Lexington, KY 40503. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Lexington, KY. .