James Tinsley, former professor of history, died of pancreatic cancer recently. He was 83.

Tinsley, who specialized in Texas history, was chairman of the history department and associate dean of arts and sciences during his 42-year teaching career at UH. He also served as executive director of the Texas Gulf Coast Historical Association for 30 years.

He is survived by his wife, Eleanor; two daughters, Kathleen Ownby and husband David; and Marilyn Daniel and husband B.D.; one son, Tom Tinsley and wife Cathy; sisters Doris Jane Jordan and Emogene McCray; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Staff reports