James R. Williamson, Ph.D.

          James R. Williamson, Ph.D., 84, formerly of Scranton, a resident of New Oxford, Adams County, died Monday afternoon in the care of Cross Keys Brethren Home, New Oxford following a prolonged illness.

     Born January 31, 1935 in Kingston, he was the son of the late James T. and Mildred (Benson) Williamson.

     He was a member of the 1952 graduating class of the former Saint Nicholas High School, Wilkes-Barre, and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from King's College in 1956.  Dr. Williamson furthered his education by attaining a Master of Arts Degree in Economics from Notre Dame University and a Master of Science in Business from The George Washington University.  He later earned a Master of Arts Degree in History from Butler University. He received his Ph.D. in Business and History all from The George Washington University.

     Dr. Williamson proudly served our country in the United States Army.  He had two tours of duty during the Vietnam War, and was stationed in Panama and Korea.  When not stationed overseas, the majority of his time on active duty was in Washington D.C. at the Pentagon.  At the time of his honorable discharge on August 31, 1980, Dr. Williamson had earned the rank of Major, attaining several distinguished medals and citations for his dedicated service.

     After retiring from the Army, he taught at Gwynedd Mercy University for twelve years.  He was an adjunct professor at Wilkes University when he returned to Scranton, teaching at the University of Scranton for some twenty years prior to his retirement.

     Dr. Williamson will be remembered by those who knew him as being a loving, devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and mentor.  Those he taught are living examples of the ideals he held and shared in this life.

     Last September, he and his wife, the former Katherine A. Sieber celebrated sixty years of married life together.

     Left to mourn his passing and cherish his memory in addition to his beloved wife Katherine, are the couple's children, Virginia Poindexter and her husband Dennis of Potomac Falls, VA; Laurie Forsythe and her husband Thomas of Dover, PA; Marie Quinn and her husband Edward of Cape Coral, FL; Christine Bernard and her husband David of Sugar Land, TX; Joseph Williamson and his wife Margaret of New Oxford, PA; Alexandra Crane and her husband John of Batesville, IN; and Mark J. Williamson of Pittston, PA;  Eighteen Grandchildren; Four Great-Grandchildren; Several cousins, fellow colleagues and dear friends.

     He was preceded in death by a son James on February 14, 1986 and by a great-grandson James G. Lara on November 19, 2014.

     Funeral services for Dr. Williamson will be conducted on Tuesday,  April 23, with a Requiem Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. at Saint Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church, 1703 Jackson Street, Scranton.  The Reverend Simon Harkins, F.S.S.P., pastor will serve as celebrant and homilist.  Those wishing to attend the funeral Mass are asked to meet directly at church Tuesday by 10:30 a.m.

     Interment will follow at Saint Mary's Cemetery, 1594 South Main Street, Hanover Township.

     Friends may call Monday evening from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the John V. Morris Family Funeral Homes Inc., 625 North Main Street, Wilkes-Barre.

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