James W. “Jim” Trow

HANCOCK – James W. “Jim” Trow, 94, a retired Michigan State University professor, died on Thursday morning, November 17, 2016, at the Lighthouse at Hancock.

He was born in Chicago on April 21, 1922, to the late William and Gladys (Davies) Trow.

He graduated from the University of Chicago with a B.S. Degree in Science in 1943, a Masters degree in Science in 1945 and PHD in 1948.

He had a fellowship with Gulf Oil Corporation Research. James was employed by MSU as a professor in Mining and Geology from 1947 to 1997.

James had a variety of consulting jobs with USGS Michigan Iron Project, Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company, Anaconda American Brass Ltd. (Toronto), Elcor Chemical Corporation (Texas), Chevron Oil Company (San Francisco and Denver), Michigan Geological Survey, Falconbridge Nickel and Exmin Corp (Bloomington, Indiana).

Jim’s emphasis was on mining exploration, structural geology, sedimentology (diamonds) and innovation. The areas he worked in were Lake Superior Precambrian, N.E. Washington, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, Trans Pecos Texas, Southern Appalachians and the Smokies.

Jim was married to Virginia Dady. They had one son, James W. Trow, Jr. The family moved to Hancock, proximal to promising prospects, where Jim did mineral prospecting. They both preceded him in death.

Jim was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Hancock. He also belonged to a number of professional associations.

A memorial service for Jim will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, November 22, 2016, at the O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home with Rev. Scott Lindenberg to officiate. Interment will be in the family lot at Evergreen Cemetery in Eagle River, Michigan.

The O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home of Hancock is in charge of the arrangements. Please go oneilldennisfh.com to leave online condolences.

Donations, in lieu of flowers, may be directed to the First United Methodist Church, 401 Quincy St., Hancock, 49930, in memory of James W. Trow.