James Stewart Legg

James Stewart Legg passed away on May 23, 2023 at 99 years of age. James was born In San Francisco, California December 21, 1923 to Merle Armstrong Legg and Lois May Foster Legg. Jim’s growing up years were spent mostly in the state of Washington in the company of brother Merle Allen Legg as well with sister Alicia Ann Waliser, both of whom preceded him in death. Jim and Merle were partners in lighthearted mischief and settled down enough to apply themselves and earn their Eagle Scout awards.

A man of strong opinions, Jim had his priorities and his preferences:

Family ~ Photography ~ Hunting ~Food ~ Black coffee ~ All things Scottish (especially bagpipes, short bread and the Stewart family tartan plaids.) ~ Gardening (vegetables, flowers, chestnuts, persimmons, berries, many of which found their way into the kitchens of family and friends) ~ Dogs ~ Reading ~ Practical jokes, teasing , and a good laugh. ~ And music, in particular Lois’ piano music, and brass and bagpipes as well.

At the age of 17, Jim enlisted in the U.S. Navy 6 months prior to Pearl Harbor. He served as a pharmacist’s mate. He carried his euphonium wherever he was stationed. He developed a fondness for shrimp gumbo, grits and pecan pie when he was stationed in the South. He was discharged from the Navy on his birthday, December 21, 1945.

Following WWII, Jim took advantage of GI Benefits and rounded out his education by earning a bachelors in biology (1946), a masters in biology (1948), and masters in microbiology (1954). He also taught at Whitworth College in Spokane, Washington (1948). This was the groundwork for his life as a microbiologist.

Jim and Lois (Eloise LaVelle Deobald) met at a church function and were married June 14, 1950 - Flag Day. They started their married lives with Jim in school. Three years later he was hired by Cutter Laboratories in Berkeley, California to make Salk polio vaccine. Polio was scourging the country in the 50’s and the urgency to curtail it was great. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest and loving it, he none the less made the big decision to move his growing family to Terre Haute, Indiana in 1957. Jim was recruited by Pfizer to assist in the startup and manufacture of the Salk polio vaccine. In the early 1970’s, he began working in the production of Synthetic Penicillin. In the years just prior to his retirement in 1998, he had the opportunity to work with microphotography. He worked at Pfizer Pharmaceuticals for 42 years.

His interest in Health and Safety led Jim to volunteer for Civil Defense in Terre Haute in the 1960’s. He also joined the American Red Cross where he taught First Aid and CPR. Jim delighted in driving the ERV (Emergency Response Vehicle), traveling to various disaster locations in the US.

Not one to talk with others about his faith or about God, Jim set an example by faithfully attending Memorial United Methodist Church and holding down the back pew. Jim was active in his church serving as Sunday School Superintendent, teaching Sunday School, being a member of the building committee for Memorial United Methodist Church, as well as serving on various other committees.

Jim is survived by his beloved wife of nearly of 73 years, Lois. He is also survived by 3 children, and their families :

Son, Merle Legg, grandchildren Miranda Legg, Christopher Legg (Allie) and a great-grandchild Hudson Legg.

Also surviving is daughter Leslie Legg-Carlson (John) and grandson Mark Carlson,

As well as daughter Alison Wingerter (Ron) with their 4 daughters Heidi Beauchamp, Erin Wingerter, Rachel Mayhew (Eddie), and Kendra Wingerter (Trey Lydick). 6 more great grandchildren survive their great Granddad – the Beauchamp boys, Judah and Hunter, and the Mayhew children Ian, Abigail, Isaac and Fiona.

Some of these survivors have lived in close enough proximity to Jim to know Granddad. Some will know him through the tales we will tell in years to come.

His family was always central, but his Jim’s interest in people of all ages and cultures, along with his endearing smile, won the hearts of many. Nieces and nephews enjoyed the good-natured teasing that came with visits with Uncle Jim.

Service ~ Family ~ Commitment ~ Integrity

~ Grit ~

As Jim grew older he never ceased to find new mountains to climb. He enjoyed deer hunting through his 89th year. He faithfully worked out at the gym until a bout with pneumonia in his mid 90’s ended that. He never gave up on reading. And his teasing continued to be legendary throughout his entire life.

We have all witnessed in big ways and small, a man of Grit. Grit is defined as resourceful courage and daring in the face of difficulties. Jim was an example of a man who loved life and grabbed as much of it as he could. His admonition to us through the years has been

“ BE BRAVE!” - J.S. Legg

The community is invited to attend “Bagpipes and Brass”, a concert in memory of Jim Legg at 4:00 PM, Saturday, June 24, 2023 in Memorial United Methodist Church, 2701 Poplar Street.  In place of flowers, please make donations to the following organizations: American Red Cross, 2800 Poplar Street, Suite 7D, Terre Haute, IN 47807;  Memorial United Methodist Church, 2701 Poplar Street, Terre Haute, IN 47803;  UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief), 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue NE, Building A, Suite 1,
Atlanta, Georgia 30308.  For a full obituary and memorial tributes please visit www.callahanandhughes.com .