Cord H. Jemison, 26, Was Gifted Musician, Engineer

Cord Harrison Jemison died Sunday, Nov. 26, in a motorcycle accident on Yarnell Hill near Wickenbury, Ariz. He was the son of Laura Helmes Jemison of Lawrenceville, N.J., and Chappaquiddick and William D. Jemison, also of Lawrenceville. He was 26 years old.

The young man spent many summers on Chappaquiddick after the Jemison family acquired property at Wasque. For the past five years his mother has been the coordinator of summer programs at the Chappaquiddick Community Center.

Cord was born in Boston. After attending the Hill School in Pottstown, Pa., he received a degree in sound engineering from Omega Studies in Washington, D.C. However, Cord, in his mother's words, chose the school of life to complete his never-ending education.

Working as a carpenter, at age 19 he built a house from a simple hand-drawn floor plan. He was a member of the 40 Fingers African Dumming Band for three years and with the group recorded three compact discs. He opened an art gallery and sound recording studio in Reading, Pa. He also was a drumming teacher to other young musicians. He was gifted and intuitive in every endeavor, from music to engineering. He approached life with zeal. Cord's latest projects included working with his father in Phoenix, Ariz., as project manager at Kafflex, an injection molding plant for pool equipment.

In July of this year he married Stephanie Maialetti of Oley, Pa., in Sedona, Ariz. After the wedding, the couple lived in Chandler, Ariz., with their four dogs.

In addition to his parents and wife, the young man is survived by a sister, Caitlin Jemison; a brother, Case Jemison, and his grandparents, Carolyn Jemison of Denver, Colo., Bill Jemison of Okrakoke, N.C., and Irene Helmes of Roseville, Minn.

A memorial service and celebration of his life took place Sunday, Dec. 4, in Reading, Pa. A second memorial service will be held on Chappaquiddick this summer, when his ashes will be spread in Katama Bay.