James L. Wardrop

URBANA - James Lester Wardrop, Ph.D., 84, came to rest with his savior on Sunday morning, Oct. 12, 2025.

Jim was born in St. Louis on Aug. 29, 1941. He grew up in Collinsville the only son of Lester and Alma (Crackel) Wardrop. He would bicycle down the wild side of Monks Mound long before it became part of Cahokia Mounds Historic Park. He graduated with honors from CHS in 1959 with interests in Mu Alpha Theta (MATH) and service clubs. He worked for the Collinsville Herald in 1959 and in heavy construction during his college summers.

In 1964, he married Carol Hodges and was forever blessed to be the father of daughters Lara and Amy Wardrop.

Determined and focused, he received full scholarships to Washington University in St. Louis in psychology, earning his Ph.D. on his 25th birthday! As a professor, Jim quipped that early in his teaching career, he was often the youngest person in the classroom.

Following a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Jim joined the University of Illinois in 1967 as an assistant professor in the Department of Educational Psychology (EdPsy). He became an associate professor in 1975 and was granted emeritus status upon retirement in 2003.

With a gentle and quiet spirit, a brilliant mind and phenomenal memory, he was a valued mentor, adviser and friend to countless acquaintances and students. Always approachable, he was a good listener and worked alongside his students to help identify

and resolve their concerns. Jim's responsibilities included teaching graduate courses in statistics and measurement,

mentoring doctoral students, conducting research, supervising evaluation studies, and serving in administrative and consultive roles. He was a charter member of the university's graduate college program in statistics, served two terms as the Department of

EdPsy chair, was twice awarded the Outstanding Teacher of the Year and was director of the EdPsy computer lab. His distinction was theory, and he published widely on theoretical issues in his numerous co-authored papers and in his book on standardized

testing.

Beyond academia, Jim was a skilled problem-solver adept with computers and able to repair almost anything electronic, structural or mechanical.

Jim is remembered for his quick wit and big smile. He loved poetry, quoted random excerpts from children's literature, and solved cryptic crossword puzzles. He enjoyed music of many genres, margaritas, pinot noir, bridge and playing dominoes and Scrabble

with his grandchildren. With his quiet nature and a "wordsmith's" heart, Jim's forte was his prolific writings, both academic and personal.

In 1991, he married Diane Noll Thompson in Paducah, Ky. They first met in 1955 in ninth grade, dated briefly in 1960-61, and reconnected at their 30th CHS reunion in 1989. Their lives together were filled with love, laughter, their Christian faith, shared family events and travels, both domestic and abroad.

Jim and Diane embraced and were loved by their Hessel Park Church family, whom they served for over 30 years. He earned the affectionate title "Grandpa Jim" from many of the church's children. He served as an elder and volunteered in numerous capacities,

such as webmaster, church cleaner and banner hanger, and installed a hearing loop system and planned some Sunday services.

Jim was predeceased by his parents, Lester and Alma Wardrop; and younger sister, Judy Blankenship.

He is survived by his wife, Diane; daughters, Lara (Scott) Weiler and Amy (Chad) Hume; grandchildren, Ellie and Jack Weiler and Casey Hume; niece, Pam Stith; nephew, Mark Blankenship; and brothers-in-law, Frank Blankenship and Robert Smith.

Jim embraced and loved his bonus Thompson family through Diane's three sons, Christopher and Amanda (Tyler and Amanda K.); David and Lisa (Matthew-Glorielly; Zachary and Kortney); and Kevin and Elizabeth (Cameron and Caleb).

Memorial services will be on Saturday, Nov. 8, at 3 p.m. CST at Hessel Park Church, 700 W. Kirby Ave., Champaign, IL 61820. The service will be accessible via YouTube.

Memorial gifts may be given to the church in Jim's name to further children's literacy initiatives in the C-U community.