James Letton

Known by many as “Doc”, “Lett”, “Jim” or “JC”, James Carey Letton (79) went to his eternal life on Tuesday, March 26, 2013 at the Sterling House in Springdale, Ohio.
He leaves his wife of 57 years, Rosaline (Stovall) Letton; his sons, James A. of Cincinnati, Ohio and Dr. Alan Letton of Summerville, North Carolina; his daughter, Lillian Letton (husband Tom Henderson) of Carmel, Indiana; eight grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and many close relatives and friends.
Born and raised in Paris, Kentucky, the son of William and Lillie Mae Letton, both preceding him in death, he is also preceded in death by his sisters, Nannie Lou, Hattie Mae and brother, William.
After graduating from Kentucky State University in 1955 with a B.S. in Chemistry, he met and married Rose (1956). Because there were no job opportunities for African American Chemists south of the Ohio River, they moved to Chicago where he became a steroid/cholesterol derivative process chemist for the renowned African American Scientist Percy L. Julian at Julian Laboratories, which became Smith, Kline & French Pharmaceuticals. During those “Chicago years”, Jim would teach at Triton College and then pursue his PhD in Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry. Graduating (with distinction) from the University of Illinois in 1970 with his PhD, he decided he wanted to give back to his alma mater KSU. He and the family returned to Kentucky where he taught organic chemistry and subsequently earned the position of Chairman of the Department
of Chemistry. During those KSU years, he would persuade and encourage the entire
family to gain education in the sciences as well as serve as director of the university/National Institute of Health biomedical project concerning sub-clinical malnutrition. As important, he encouraged his students to seek the sciences and continue their educa-tion where many became MD’s, PhD’s and DMD’s.
In 1975, Jim moved the family to Cincinnati, Ohio where he went to work for The Procter & Gamble Co., retiring in 1995. During his years at P&G there were 20 patents granted in his name that included such things as the enzyme stabilization system which allowed P&G to market the first liquid detergent stain removing enzymes under the name “Era Plus” to developing alternative chemistries for P&G’s fat substitute Olestra. In addition, he has chemical patents for technology that P&G has licensed for royalties. Many of the things he developed are still on the store shelves today. As an innovative scientist delivering technical excellence for P&G, he was named a Victor Mill’s Research Fellow, P&G’s highest honor for R&D excellence.
Never without a full schedule of family, KSU Alumni, P&G, Kiwanis and his local community advocating, and following his mantra of “paying back and paying forward”, Jim continued to support those he came in contact with. Over the years he would receive the “Percy L. Julian” award for contributions in applied research in science/engineering, be awarded the distinguished alumni citation from the National Associa-tion for Equal Opportunities in Education, Who’s Who in the South and Southwest (1975-1977), “Changing America’s Diet”, Black Enterprise (Feb 1990), entered into the “American Men & Women of Science” (1971-2007), receiving “Researcher of the Year” from the National Organization for the Advancement of Black Chemists & Chemical
Engineers and received an Honorary Doctorate from his alma mater, Kentucky State
University as well as being entered into the KSU Hall of Fame.
He was a lover of Jazz and Classical music and many a day you would see him
smiling as he listened to Mozart, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Ray Charles and others.
From making sure his family watched the first moon landing or understanding the
changes in America during the turbulent 60’s and 70’s, to helping/guiding anyone that
asked, he always left a positive piece of himself with others. He was a man that loved
his family dearly and tried to impart all the good he had inside because he believed
that small acts could change the world. He especially loved his Rose.
He is a man that made a difference no matter what he was doing.