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In Memory Of Our Poets

James "Jim" Merriam Dalahay (1958-2005) - Class Of 1976

DALAHAY, James (Jim) Merriam, age 46, President and CEO of Lane-Bishop York Delahay (LBYD, Inc.), died unexpectedly on Saturday, April 16, 2005, at his home.  Jim was born in Montgomery, Alabama, on May 14, 1958, to the late Merriam August and Margaret Shaw Delahay. He attended Bellingrath School and graduated from Sidney Lanier High School in 1976.  He graduated from the University of Alabama with a B.S. in Civil Engineering in 1980.  He completed his M.S. in structural engineering in 1987. He was a registered professional engineer in Alabama and 14 states.  Jim began his engineering career at Lane, Bishop, Hodnett, in 1981. In 1985, he became a partner, and the firm became Lane Bishop York-Delahay.  He was the Principal in Charge of the design of the following notable structural engineering projects: Birmingham International Airport Expansions-Terminal Reno-vation, Elevated Roadway, and Parking Deck Additions; South Trust Bank, Wildwood Campus; Mercedes Benz Visitors and Training Center; McWane Center; Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Birmingham Branch; Health South Corporate Headquarters and Health South Digital Hospital to name a few.  Jim was highly involved with his profession and a a member of a number of professional organizations.  In 1999, Jim was selected as one of the three practicing engineers nationwide on the Structural Committee of the International Building Code. In 2002, he was elected chairman of that committee, the first practicing engineer ever to hold the position.  Jim was involved in building code development since 1991, representing the Structural Engineer's Association of Alabama (SEAOAL) on the Southern Building Code Congress International's (SBCCI) Wind Load Committee.  He was a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Committee 7 on Minimum Design Loads For Buildings and Other Structures since 1995. This committee is acknowledged as the foremost Wind Engineering group in the Unit-ed States.  He was the chair of the NCSEA Code Advisory Committee, which represents the interests of structural engineers to the Building Code development community. He was the current president of the Applied Technology Council, where he represented the NCSEA.  During 2003, in recognition of his contributions to the structural engineering profession, Mr. Delahay was named a Distinguished Engineering Fellow by the University of Alabama College of Engineering, from which he earned both his BS and MS degrees in Civil Engineering.  He served on the Leadership Board of the College of Engineering, which advises the Dean on the direction of the school.  In January of 2004, Mr. Delahay was elected president of the Applied Technology Council (ATC), a nonprofit company dedicated to the advancement of engineering applications for hazard mitigation.  Jim was happiest when working with the Vestavia Boy Scout Troop 4 and Cub Scouts Pack 352 where he was pack leader for 3 years. He also enjoyed helping with his sons' baseball teams in the Vestavia Hills Youth Baseball League.  He loved golf, fine wine, tennis, sailing, camping, traveling, and being with his family.  He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Linda, his sons: William Merriam, 11 and Matthew Vincent, 9; his sister, Joan Delahay of Montgomery; and nephew, Stefan Dalahay, also of Montgomery.  He is further survived by relatives in California and Great Britain and many, many friends and fellow professionals.  Memorial services for Mr. James M. Delahay, will take place on Wednesday, April 20, 2005, at Johns-Ridouts Funeral Parlors, 2116 University Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35233, at 11:00 am.  Friends and colleagues are also invited to attend a visitation at the funeral home on Tuesday, April 19, 2005, 6:00-8:00 pm.  In lieu of flowers, a scholarship fund has been set up in his name at the University of Alabama, College of Engineering.  The family would like to thank the Vestavia Hills Police and Fire Departments for all of their help during the emergency.
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Funeral Home: JOHN'S RIDOUT SOUTHSIDE
Publication Date: 04/19/2005