James Lester Wardrop PhD, 84, came to rest with his Savior on Sunday morning,
October 12, 2025.
Jim was born in St. Louis, MO. August 29, 1941. He grew up in Collinsville, IL., 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 the 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, St.
Louis in Psychology, earning his PhD on his 25 th 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, advisor, 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 Dept. 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 coauthored 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 his 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, 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 9 th
grade; dated briefly in 1960-61 and reconnected at their 30 th 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, volunteered in numerous capacities
such as webmaster, church cleaner, banner hanger, installed a hearing loop system and
planned some Sunday services.
Jim was predeceased by his parents Lester & Alma Wardrop and younger sister, Judy
Blankenship. He is survived by his wife Diane, daughters Lara (Scott) Weiler and Amy
(Chad) Hume, grandchildren Ellie & Jack Weiler; Casey Hume; niece Pam Stith;
nephew Mark Blankenship; brothers-in-law Frank Blankenship and Robert Smith.
Jim embraced and loved his bonus Thompson family through Diane’s three sons:
Christopher & Amanda (Tyler, Amanda K.); David & Lisa (Matthew-Glorielly; Zachary-
Kortney); Kevin& Elizabeth (Cameron, Caleb).
Memorial service Saturday, Nov. 8 at 3:00 pm CST at Hessel Park Church, 700 West
Kirby, 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
CU community.