James W. Hayden, 63
James W. Hayden, 63, died at home on July 29, 2005 from leukemia.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date.
He was born April 25, 1942, to Col. Robert H. and Dorothea (Ward) Hayden in Gardner, Mass.
During Jim's childhood, the family was stationed at posts abroad and in the United States. Jim graduated from Deerfield Academy in Deerfield, Mass., in 1959. He received a bacheor of science degree in chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1963, and then enrolled in the doctorate program at the University of Kansas. In 1968, Jim was awarded his Ph.D. in chemistry with honors. He was the youngest person to receive that degree from the University of Kansas.
While at the University of Kansas, Jim met and married Karen Stevenson. They had two sons, David and Mark. Jim and Karen divorced in 1975.
After receiving his doctorate, Jim worked for Shell Oil Co. in Emeryville, Calif. While working for Shell, Jim attended the University of California at Berkeley. The company transferred the family to Houston in 1972. Jim, the "perennial student" left Shell to undertake and complete a 14-month, post-doctoral fellowship in pharmacology at Baylor College of Medicine. In 1973, at the age of 31, Jim entered medical school at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, graduating with his M.D. in 1977. Afterward, he returned to Baylor College of Medicine to complete a one-year residency in internal medicine.
He often joked that he was "the world's oldest intern." During his academic career, Jim received numerous awards for outstanding academic achievement.
While establishing a medical practice in Houston, Jim worked as an emergency physician in several Houston-area hospitals. He left emergency medicine to work full-time in his drug treatment program, Chemical Dependence Associates. During those years, Jim became a nationally recognized expert in the treatment of drug addiction, prescribing practices by physicians and the forensic aspects of pharmacology. He was often called as an expert witness by such diverse groups as the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, the petrochemical industry, prosecutors and defense attorneys.
In 1982, Jim married Lauren Shanks, a nurse and attorney, whom he met when they both worked in the emergency center at St. Luke's Hospital in Houston. In 1987, Jim and Lauren moved from the "fast lane" of Houston to the "rural route" lifestyle of Priest River, Idaho, where they owned The Hayden Ranch for 17 years.
Jim returned to the practice of emergency medicine in 1988, working at Holy Family Hospital in Spokane, Wash., until his medical retirement in 1996. Jim was also active in emergency medical services in North Idaho, acting as medical control for various EMS units in the Panhandle.
Although medically retired due to illness, Jim pursued another career as a medical review officer for several organizations, reviewing drug test results and analyzing the forensic procedures of drug testing. He enrolled at the University of Florida for on online program in forensic toxicology, which he completed in 2003. In 2004, Jim and Lauren moved to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
Jim loved to travel and was always looking for "an adventure." He and Lauren were fortunate to have many wonderful trips together, as well as some that were truly challenging. Hiking and skiing were two of his favorite outdoor activities. A voracious reader, Jim enjoyed all types of literature, but especially history and science.
Jim is survived by his wife of 23 years, Lauren. He is also survived by his sons, both of whom he was so proud and loved dearly, David Hayden, Ph.D. and his wife Birgit, and their children Ingrid and Axel of Portland, Ore., and U.S. Army Capt. Mark Hayden, deployed in Iraq, his wife, Laura, and their children Noah, Jack and Kirby of San Antonio, Texas.
Jim will be remembered for his inquisitive mind, wacky sense of humor and talent as a great raconteur. He was greatly loved and is greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hospice of North Idaho.