Background
Kerr, James Wilson was born on May 21, 1921 in Baltimore. Son of James W. and Laura Virginia (Wright) Kerr.
Kerr, James Wilson was born on May 21, 1921 in Baltimore. Son of James W. and Laura Virginia (Wright) Kerr.
Bachelor of Science with honors, Davidson College, 1942. Master of Science, New York University, 1948. Postgraduate, Freiburg University, 1957—1960.
Postgraduate, Brookings Institute, 1970. Postgraduate, Brookings Institute, 1975. Doctor of Philosophy, Kennedy Western University, 1989.
Commissioned Second lieutenant United States Army, 1942, advanced through grades to lieutenant colonel, 1964, with infantry, World World War II, Korea, electronics staff Fort Bragg, North Carolina, 1948-1951, weapons research New Mexico, 1953-1957, adviser French Army, 1957-1960, staff electronics Fort Monroe, Virginia, 1960-1962, research manager, division director Civil Defense Pentagon, 1962-1964, as civilian, 1964-1981. Assistant associate director Federal Emergency Management Agency for Research, 1981-1985. Senior staff, consultant Michael Rogers, Inc., Winter Park, Florida, 1986—2005.
Vice president Latherow & Company, Arlington, Virginia, 1965—1986. Doctor Mount St. Helen's Technology Office, 1980. Radiological officer Talbot County, Maryland, from 1997.
Active Boy Scouts American, from 1933. Volunteer fireman New York, 1946—1948. Chairman library board Orangeburg, 1946—1948.
Advanced English instructor French Army, 1957—1960. Consultant American National Red Cross Museum, 1968—1985, Smithsonian Institution Department Postal History, 1966—1985, National Science Foundation, 1976—1985. Volunteer fireman, fire commissioner Fairfax County, 1975—1981, chairman, 1977—1981, Orange County, Florida, from 1986, president, 1987—1990, Pike County, Alabama, 1994—1998, Talbot County, Maryland, from 1997.
Fellow: American Association for the Advancement of Science (life), Explorers Club (emeritus). Member: Sons of the American Revolution (Fire Safety medal 1995), National Academy of Sciences (member various committees 1962-1987), National Society of Professional Engineers, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (senior ), Presidential National Defense Executives, National Fire Protection Association (chairman hospital disaster committee 1973-1986), Federal Fire Council, International Association Fire Chiefs (chairman research committee 1969-1988, chief science adviser 1982-1986), Korean War Veterans Association (national board directors 1999), Black Forest Mardi Gras (Germany), University Club Florida, National Communications Club, Pentagon Officers Athletic Club, Elks, Phi Beta Kappa, Delta Phi Alpha, Gamma Sigma Epsilon.
Married Mary Thomas Montgomery, February 25, 1945 (divorced). Children: April Kerr Miller, Catherine Kerr Wood(deceased), Wilson(deceased), Andrew. Married June Walker, December 27, 1977 (divorced).
Married Janice White Bain, January 19, 1985.