James Edward Cheney

James E. Cheney, aged 89 of Worthington, Ohio died January 25, 2018 after a short illness. He was born in Schenectady, New York on December 21, 1928, the second son of Samuel H. and Anastasia H. (Donovan) Cheney. He is a graduate of Siena College in Loudenville, NY. In 1954 he was a member of a scientific team at the General Electric Research Laboratory that discovered how to transform, at great heat and pressure, ordinary carbon into diamonds This discovery created a new industry. Mr Cheney followed that discovery out into industry and helped establish the first pilot plant and then the first factory to produce man-made diamonds for industry. He went on to set up or help set up operations in Ireland, France, and Spain. He held various positions in engineering and manufacturing and managed several manufacturing operations. He retired in 1989 but continued to work as an ultra-high pressure consultant for several years. He served communities where he lived through the years as a 4-H leader, Explorer Scout leader, as a volunteer fireman, waws chairman of a local library board, served several years as a member of a local school board, and was a charter member of the Scotia Lions Club. After retirement, he and his wife, Shirley hit the road for a few years dragging a trailer throughout North America up to Alaska and down into Mexico. Afterwards he occupied himself with his family’s genealogy and developing avian friendly and efficient wind turbines. He was also pretty handy with a hammer and saw. He was known for and will be remembered for his kindness, generosity, devotion to his friends, and steadfast love for his family near and far. He died two days short of the sixty-seventh anniversary of the wedding to the love of his life, Shirley, who misses him terribly. He was predeceased by his brother, Samuel H. Jr. of Rockport, MA and his sister Mary Lou Weickert of Rockford, IL. He is survived by his wife of sixty-seven years, Shirley (Olson) Cheney, sons, Stephen P. (Paula) of Yellow Springs, Ohio, Andrew D. (Lori) of Columbus, Ohio and his daughter Anne K. Rector (Robert Felter) of Gahanna, Ohio. Also four grandchildren Andrew E. (Taylor) of Flagstaff, AZ, Maxwell J. of Golden, CO., Andrew D. Jr. of California, MD, and Samantha N. of California, MD. Memorial contributions may be sent to Worthington Public Library, 820 High Street, Worthington, Ohio 43085. A Memorial Service will be announced at a later date. He leaves this message- To my friends and family, I send you word from the quiet side of death- I would ask that you mourn me only ‘til the flowers wilt-but remember me, in your hearts, until the rocks turn to dust. My life flows endlessly on now-in you.

James Edward Cheney

December 21, 1928 - January 25, 2018