Jimmie D. Boatright

Jimmie D. Boatright, 79, was sleeping peacefully on the morning of Friday, March 7, 2025, when he was called by his Heavenly Father, following a valiant battle with heart and kidney disease, Parkinson's dementia, and diabetes. Jim was born on September 22, 1945 in McLeansboro, Illinois to James and Maxine Boatright (Cathey).
After relocating to Peoria in his childhood, he graduated from Manual High School in 1963. He then attended Bradley University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology in 1968. After declining a position in federal law enforcement, he began his lifelong career as one of the most well-known and beloved teachers in Peoria District 150 public schools. He went on to receive his Master's in Elementary Education from Bradley University in 1971, amassing nearly enough credentials afterwards for a doctorate. He taught initially at Roosevelt Elementary before settling onto the staff at Trewyn Middle School for the first half of his career; then following a year at Garfield, he found himself on the faculty at Von Steuben Middle School for the remainder of his career, retiring in 2001.
One was hard-pressed to find a Peoria native who didn't volunteer that they or a family member fondly recalled having "Mr. Boatright" for science, history, geography, or government. Though offered numerous and more lucrative administrative positions over the years by Peoria Public Schools and the State of Illinois, "Mr. Boatright" firmly believed his place was in the classroom and that was where he could make the greatest difference. For many years, he also assisted District 150's maintenance work crews during the summer months, maintaining the grounds and facilities throughout the school district.
It was during his first assignment at Roosevelt Elementary that he realized he not only had found his calling in life, but also his soulmate, Wendy Ruth Wrigley, and they were married on June 14, 1969 at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Peoria. He taught science and social studies; she taught English and literature. She loved culture, travel, and the arts; he loved being in the outdoors while hunting, fishing, and sport shooting. Jim found he was as content with Wendy at a theatrical performance or in a museum as he was in the woods or on the water. Through thick and thin they were by each others' sides for over 45 years until she passed (also peacefully) on November 17, 2014 in their home with Jim. He had insisted on never dating while his parents were paying for his education at Bradley, nor would he introduce them to a girl he wasn't going to marry. He ended up introducing them to Wendy, the one he knew the Lord had brought to his arms. Together, they conquered their dreams; one summer even driving his Gran Torino over 10,000 miles across the American Southwest, up the Pacific Coast Highway, and back to Illinois through the Canadian Rockies. And now, they are together forever.
Jim spent every free moment he was able to in the outdoors and lived to share its beauty, whether fishing the lakes of Ontario, hunting one of Ted Nugent's ranches, tackling the trout streams of Colorado, barreling towards the horizon 90 miles off the coast of Texas, or simply scouting for squirrels in the local woods. Nothing, however, brought him more satisfaction than dropping a line in the local lake with his 2 grandsons during the lazy summer days of his retirement.
Surviving Jim are his son, Daniel (Tiffany) Boatright, two grandsons: Tristan and Dalton Boatright, as well as many family members still remaining but not forgotten from Southern Illinois. Jim was especially pleased to also consider himself a great-grandfather to Tiffany's granddaughter.
He was preceded in death by his beloved Wendy, his parents, and an infant sister, Sharon.
He was a member of the Phi Delta Kappa Honor Society, voted Teacher of the Year in the 1990's by the Woodruff High School student council, and formerly a member of the Peoria Elks Lodge and Chillicothe Sportsmen's Club. He was a lifelong Catholic and a member of the Peoria Knights of Columbus Spalding Council #427.
His name and indelible mark on the Peoria area will never be forgotten, nor should it, though "Mr. Boatright" would not have wished it so. He never put himself before another person ever in his life, and his final lesson is always to love.
Arrangements were entrusted to Cumerford-Clary Funeral Home in Peoria. Graveside services were held on March 14, 2025 at Glendale Cemetery in Washington, Illinois, with Father Johnathan Steffen officiating. The services were private. Memorials may be made to KNOM Radio Mission Alaska, Seaside Seabird Sanctuary, ASPCA, or any wildlife conservation or Special Needs charity. Just follow Jim's lead and give selflessly. Thank you to all who fondly remember "Mr. Boatright." And may God continue to Bless Jim's memory and his loved ones.
Online condolences and tributes can be made at https://www.cumerfordclary.com/. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Jimmie, please visit our Tree Store.