FIND AN OBITUARY
Service information is posted on our website only with approval from the family.
If you are seeking information not listed below, please contact us.
Jean H Futrell
10/20/1933 — 11/13/2024
From Richland, WA
Jean H Futrell
Jean H. Futrell, born October 20, 1933, in Dry Prong, Louisiana, to Homer E. and Catherine (Padgett) Futrell, passed away on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, in Kadlec Regional Medical Center, Richland, Washington. He is survived by his wife Anne Krohn Graham, daughter Alison Futrell, stepdaughter Tracy Anne Wenzinger, grandson Nathan Futrell, and step-granddaughters Zara and Tiffany Wenzinger, and Helen Wang, granddaughter of the heart. He is predeceased by his son, Craig Futrell, and former wife, Earlene W. Futrell.
Jean led a vigorous life. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Louisiana Tech University in 1955 and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1958. He is considered a founder of modern mass spectrometry and is among the most accomplished scientists in the field; one of his most notable achievements is the invention of the tandem mass spectrometer. He served as President of the American Society of Mass Spectrometry, has received numerous awards, and was elected a Fellow of the American Chemical Society in 2009 for his research accomplishments and for service to the discipline of chemistry. He was also an elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Physical Society, and the World Innovation Foundation.
Jean began his professional career in the Aerospace Laboratory at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base outside Dayton, Ohio. Several years later he accepted an appointment as Professor of Chemistry at the University of Utah. He continued his academic career at the University of Delaware as Head of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Willis F. Harrington Professor of Physical and Analytical Chemistry. Always excited to take on new challenges, Jean moved to Richland, Washington in 1998 to become Director of the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory at the US Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. After retiring in 2013, he remained active for the rest of his life. Jean has left a lasting impact as a good friend, an inspiring colleague, and a supportive mentor, a dynamic connection for colleagues and students across the world, and a loving and uplifting father/ father figure for loved ones. He will be missed by his family, friends, former students and colleagues.
We were Jean and Anne’s neighbors for many years. We’ve had many wonderful times together and always enjoyed Jean’s incredible stories of his life and accomplishments. We were making plans to get together in Mesa when Anne shared this sad news. We will miss our wonderful friend.
We were saddened to hear that our friend Jean Futrell passed away. Jean and Erlene were our very good friends at Wright- Paterson Air Force base. His son Craig and our daughter Melinda played together at the base. When Jean moved to Salt Lake we saw them due to Burt getting his PhD at the U of Utah and having family in the area. We relocated to Richland after our Airforce days to work for Battelle/PNNL. The Futrells came for a visit and we took them to the World’s Fair in Spokane. When Jean and Anne moved to Richland, we would see them at the Laboratory Fellow Level 6 parties. We have enjoyed our association over time. Sending condolences to Anne, Allison, and family.
Burt & Joann Johnson family
We were so sorry to hear of Jean’s passing. We will always remember him fondly as he had a monumental impact on our whole family, to say nothing of the least of all his professional accomplishments. We wouldn’t have come to the United States when we did if it wasn’t for Jean bringing my father into his research group in Utah. And being immigrants and needing all the support we could get, he opened up his home for us to stay until we found a place of our own. My younger sister learned to walk to in his house. We wouldn’t have had the opportunity to live on the east coast if Jean hadn’t moved his team to Delaware. And then moving to Washington, we wouldn’t have been able to see the wonders of the Pacific Northwest. He had a hand in all of our friendships and life’s accomplishments. Not many people can claim that sort of influence…whether he meant to or not. Thank you Jean. And our condolences to Anne and family.
This obituary deservedly speaks so well of his esteemed career. But I have to say more about his character—or rather his BEING a character. When I first met him I was to be his Executive Assistant. At first I thought, “What the hell?” It wasn’t very far into our relationship that he screwed something up and then I screwed something up and from there on we had the honor code between us. He had many, many stories that he liked to tell. But I think this one was his favorite:
Jean and Anne gifted me and my husband with a stay at their timeshare in Cabo—and they were coming also but stayed at a different place. Directly after we returned, our office hosted a client meeting. The senior client. said, “I called last week and your Executive Assistant told me that you were in Cabo. Must be nice.” Jean said, “That could not be true.” Client, “How so?” Jean’s big smile and laugh, “Because my Executive Assistant was with me.” (Roar of laughter in the room. It had been a different Administrative Assistant that had talked to the client.) He LOVED that story—and I do too.
Jean and Anne were so kind to me and my family. I can’t list them all. But I can tell you that the chunk of time that I shared of Jean’s 91-year life rarefied air with sparkles on top. I love and will miss him. Anne will always be a dear, dear friend.
Guestbook for
Jean H Futrell