Notes:

Note from James, himself:
James Monroe Lammons
Military Service - (World War II, 1942 - 1946), USMC Regular, South Pacific & China, decorated.
Education - BS University of Kansas, MS University of Wichita, PhD Michigan State University.
Retired Explorationist (World-wide), Standard Oil of New Jersey and Texaco, Inc.
Past times - Geological exploration, Gulf of Mexico, Paraguay, Colombia & Turkey.

Note from niece, Kathryn Watts:
Yes, Uncle Jim is an paleontologist. I believe he received his PhD from the University of Michigan. As a child, I remember him studying in grandma's dark basement. He had all kinds of rocks and things. It was spooky for a little girl. (But fun too!)

Died:
JAMES MONROE LAMMONS (1924-2008) Dr. James Monroe Lammons (Jim), 84, resident of Houston, Texas, died unexpectedly on October 25th, 2008.

He is survived by Herminia, his wife of 55 years; children Linda Smock and husband Ron of Albuquerque, New Mexico, James G. Lammons and wife Debra of The Woodlands, Texas, and John T. Lammons and wife Maura of Houston, Texas; grandchildren, Sean and Adam Smock, Noah and Leah McCann, Nathaniel Lammons, Elle and Mia Lammons. He is also survived by his sister Mary Jane Jacobs, and many dear nephews and nieces. Jim was preceded in death by his parents John Monroe Lammons and Aurelia Isadora Perry; brothers Perry, John and Charles; sisters Betty and Margaret; son James Alexander. Jim was born October 6, 1924 in Kansas City, Missouri.

He and his brother Perry joined the Marine Corps immediately after high school graduation at the ages of 17 and 18 respectively. They remained together through boot camp, radio school, and training at Cherry Point, NC. They were separated in 1943 when Jim joined VMSB 331 in the Marshall Islands. He returned stateside in 1944, shortly before Perry's death.

Jim finished his enlistment in 1946 after serving with VMSB 244 in northern China. Dr. Lammons earned his BS from Kansas University, his MS in Geology from Wichita State University, and his PHD in Micropaleontology from Michigan State University. His travels took him to Venezuela where he lost his heart to Herminia Sanchez. While keeping a home base in Wichita, KS, Jim and Herminia lived abroad in South America and the Caribbean for most of his career in the oil industry. Jim specialized in oil and gas exploration primarily in the Amazon Basin. In more recent years, he worked as an independent oil and gas consultant concentrating primarily on the US Gulf Coast.

Jim died suddenly, while visiting his daughter in New Mexico, a few days before he and Herminia were due to return home. His last remaining days were spent enjoying the beautiful mountains of New Mexico, admiring the brilliant fall foliage, visiting with family and friends, and watching the World Series. Dr. Lammons' family and friends feel very blessed to have had such an exceptional man in their lives. He always placed family first. Above all, he taught by example, to delight in the world around us and to love and respect each other regardless of background or beliefs. He was a devoted husband, father, brother, and friend. Rosary and Mass will be offered at St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church, 7810 Cypresswood Dr., Spring, TX, 77379, on November the 9th from 7:30-8:30pm (Rosary) and November the 10th at 1:00pm (Mass). Internment will be at the Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr., Houston, TX 77038, immediately following the Mass.

Published in Houston Chronicle on Nov. 5, 2008 - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/houstonchronicle/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=119766629#sthash.uOMbPg76.dpuf

James married Hermania Del Carmen Sanchez on 8 Aug 1953 in Tucupido, Estado Guarico, Venezuela. Hermania (daughter of Julio Cesar Sanchez and Josephina Cerizola) was born on 27 Nov 1931. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Linda married Ronald Otto Smock [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

James married Debra Janell Welker [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]