Sept. 24, 2004--James E. Cathell Sr., 75, of New Castle, died Sept. 21 in Christiana Hospital.

For 13 years, he served as manager of operations in UD’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

A graduate of Pennsylvania Military College, where he earned two degrees in business, Mr. Cathell retired from the Du Pont Co. as a manager before coming to the University.

He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, attaining the rank master sergeant as a flight engineer, and he participated in the Korean airlift.

Mr. Cathell had been a member of the Asbury United Methodist Church in New Castle and St. John's Masonic Lodge in New Castle, where he had achieved the degree of master mason. He enjoyed the beach, boating, family trips, his fish pond and garden, and his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Irene R. (Travers); their children, James E. III and his wife, Kimberly, of Smyrna, and Jason E. and his wife, Lori E., of Kenton, DE; brother, William A. Cathell of Parksley, Va.; sister, Maryanne Laderson of Chestertown, Md.; four grandchildren, Kayla Cathell, Ryan Erli, Lauren Erli and Nicholas Cathell; and his pet dog, Sam.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 25, at the Gebhart Funeral Home, 531 Delaware St., Old New Castle. A Masonic service will be held just prior to the funeral service. Friends may visit with the family at the funeral home from 9-11 a.m., Saturday. Burial will be in the Glebe Cemetery in New Castle.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Parkinson's Disease Association, 6700 Eastwood St., Philadelphia, PA 19149.