James Edward L’heureux of West Chester

James Edward L’heureux of West Chester, died at Chester County Hospital on Wednesday, January 9, 2019, from complications of diabetes. He was 84.

James was born August 5, 1934 in Edgefield, South Carolina, a son of Henry PJ. L’heureux, a Presbyterian minister, and his wife, Thelma (Gamble) L’heureux, a school teacher. He grew up in Georgetown, South Carolina, and graduated from Winyah High School there. That year his father accepted a call from a fledgling church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; James joined his parents and was able to attend Louisiana State University at a time when the university waived tuition for children of the clergy. It was a gift he never forgot.

He graduated from LSU with a BS in physics, and, as a member of the ROTC, was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Air Force. He spent most of his tour of duty as a radar specialist in South Korea, after the cessation of hostilities.

He then returned to LSU to earn an MS and Ph.D in mathematics, and joined the Mathematics Department of what was then West Chester State College in 1969, retiring as Professor Emeritus in 2000. Throughout his tenure there and after retirement, he worked in many ways to raise funds for scholarships for math majors. It was his way to pay back what had been given to him. In recognition of his efforts, the WCU Mathematics Department established a scholarship in his name in 2017.

James was also active in the local Democratic Party for many years and was elected to the West Chester Borough Council as the first representative of Ward 3 after the Borough adopted the ward system.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Dawn (nee Perry), and his siblings: Dr. Henry P.J. L’heureux, Jr., of Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Mary Love Hammond, of Rock Hill, South Carolina; and Elizabeth Williams, of Summerville, South Carolina; and nieces and nephews.

There will be no funeral, memorial service, or wake, at his request.

Interment will be private.

Memorial contributions can be made to the WCU Foundation-memo line “James L’heureux Mathematics Scholarship”-and sent to the WCU Foundation, 202 Carter Drive, West Chester, PA, 19382.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www. foundsfuneralhome.com.