James Michael Mayer
1948 – 2017
On August 2, 2017, James Michael Mayer peacefully ended his two year battle with cancer at home surrounded by his loving wife and family.
James (Jim) was born in San Antonio, Texas on February 27, 1948 to Gilbert Harry Mayer and Louise Henke Mayer, both of Fredericksburg, TX. Jim was baptized at Zion Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg, TX on April 18, 1948. He was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church, San Antonio in 1960.
Jim graduated as Valedictorian from Harlandale High School, San Antonio, in 1966. He graduated from Rice University in 1970 with a major in Chemistry and went on to earn his PhD in Organic Chemistry at UCLA where he met his future wife, Diane Mary Wilderotter.
Jim and Diane were married on July 22, 1972 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Vailsburg, NJ. They have two sons, Michael (Mike) Richard Mayer living in Austin, TX and Stephen (Steve) Paul Mayer; spouse, Jennifer (Jenny) Lee Mayer and daughter, Abigail (Abby) Mary Mayer. They live in Libertyville, IL.
Jim lived in St. Louis, MO for 30 years where he was an active member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, where he offered technical computer support to the church secretary, sang in the choir, helped edit the church newsletter and helped create slide shows for church celebrations.
Jim worked for ten years as a research chemist at Monsanto Chemical Company and was a senior website developer the last twenty years for Pharmacia and then Pfizer Pharmaceuticals.
After moving to Fredericksburg in 2006, Jim joined Zion Lutheran Church. He updated the Zion website each week and posted the Sunday sermon podcasts. He prepared CD's of funerals for family members, helped proofread Chimes each month and organized the Koinonia groups.
Jim loved to play volleyball with his wife. He attended every home game when his son, Steve, played volleyball in high school.
Jim is survived by his one sister, Debra (Debbie) Ann McLerran and spouse, Joe Edward McLerran from Comfort, TX.
Jim has numerous cousins living in Houston, Arlington, Texas, Arizona and New Mexico.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Gilbert and Louise Mayer.

A visitation with the family will take place on Saturday August 5, 2017 from 10:00a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the narthex of Zion Lutheran Church of Fredericksburg with a Memorial Service at 11:00 a.m. in Zion Lutheran Church.