James V. Musick

James V. Musick, “The Chief” is gone. At age 86 ½, Jim, a Professional Engineer (retired), died in the early morning hours at The Laurels of Worthington on March 28, 2009. He was born in Poorfork, KY the 6th of 8 children of Mallie (Couch) and Marshall Alderson Musick. In 1941, he played on the Jellico, TN High School football team, which was unbeaten and unscored upon. 1942-1945 served in the U.S. Army Air Corps and flew B-17s. Received B.S. in Civil Engr. from U. of Illinois 1949, post grad work in Traffic Engr. at Yale U. Professional Transportation Engr. for 51 years. Under 5 mayors, served 40 years as Chief Traffic Engr. for the City of Columbus. Previously served as Safety Dir. for City of Columbus; Asst. Traffic Engr. for City of Cincinnati; Traffic Engr. for Air Materiel Command, USAF; Engr. of Traffic Ohio Dept. of Highways; Applications Engr. with a private firm. Dubbed by his peers as “The Traffic Engineers’ Engineer” and recognized as “The Father of the Edgeline,” he invented and developed the white lines at the pavement edge, which became federally mandated nationwide. Member for many years of the National Joint Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, Transportation Research Board of Natl. Academy of Sciences, and Institute of Transportation Engineers, serving as Legislative Committee Chairman and as President of the Ohio Section. Among his other remarkable achievements are the installation of the nation’s first traffic signal system designed to keep daily traffic flowing smoothly and provide Civil Defense evacuation for Columbus and Franklin County. He also installed the first computerized traffic signal system in a central business district that utilized coaxial cable interconnect and remote-controlled TV monitoring. He designed the flow of traffic for over 90,000 OSU football fans to get onto and off the campus readily. Designed and helped oversee the traffic flow system for the Muirfield Golf Tournaments, while serving on the Tournament Committee every year of its existence until his retirement. The James V. Musick Traffic Engineering Facility building on 17th Avenue was named for him in recognition of his tireless work in developing an in-city, self-sufficient, income-producing street and freeway sign-making shop and vehicle storage facility. Mr. Musick was preceded in death by 7 siblings, Ralph, Bennett, Jennings, Burt, Francis, Ruth and Pauline; and by his wife of 63 years, Margaret L. (Moore) Musick. He is survived by his daughters, Claudia Ann (John) Riley, Linda Jean (Gary) Evans, and Marlise A. Musick; sons, James R., Jeffrey A. (Margie), and Thomas E. Musick; grandchildren, Ryan C. (Michelle) Riley, Kendra Ann (Jason) Curtis, Carey L. Evans, James Musick, Jeanette Long, Jason Musick and Joseph Musick; great-granddaughter, Mikayla Raquel Riley; nieces and nephews. Family will receive visitors from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 3, 2009 at RUTHERFORD-CORBIN FUNERAL HOME, 515 HIGH STREET, WORTHINGTON to pay respects to Jim and swap stories. At his own request, no funeral services will be held. Interment at Green Lawn Cemetery, 1000 Greenlawn Ave., Cols. Heartfelt thanks to the staff and aides at The Laurels of Worthington, Odyssey Health Care, Inc. (Hospice). In lieu of flowers, friends may contribute to: The Alzheimer’s Assoc., 3380 Tremont Rd., Cols., OH 43221 or to The Heinzerling Developmental Center, 1755 Heinzerling Dr., Cols., OH 43223 or to The Open Shelter, 370 W. State St., Cols., OH 43215, in Jim’s memory.