Professor James B. Wadley Passes Away
Washburn University School of Law is sad to announce the passing of Professor James B. Wadley on January 1, 2010.
Prior to joining the Washburn Law faculty in 1979, Jim Wadley taught at the University of Florida Holland Law Center. Professor Wadley studied law in Mexico and performed legal research in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda. While at Washburn he taught law courses in England and Poland. He lived for two years in Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Professor Wadley taught courses in many subject areas, including Agricultural Law, Water Rights, Entertainment Law, Creative Thinking for Lawyers, Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights, and Native American Law. He was selected as the William O. Douglas Outstanding Professor of the Year for the 2000-2001 academic year. He authored a number of books and law review articles.
Professor Wadley was active outside the law school, serving as Circuit Court Judge for the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska and District Court Judge for the Prairie Band of Potawatomi Nation. He organized and led the College Hill Association Band for its annual 4th of July parade. Paintings of the law school and other Kansas scenes by Professor Wadley were typically presented to retiring law school faculty and staff.
Washburn Law faculty, staff, and students extend their deepest sympathies to his wife Frances and other family members.
See the Penwell-Gabel website for information about visitation and services to be held January 6, 2010 at 1:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Washburn Endowment Association in the Professor James Wadley Memorial Fund, 1729 SW MacVicar Ave., Topeka, KS 66604.
Professor Wadley's obituary from the January 4, 2010 Topeka Capital-Journal follows:
Professor James Bryce Wadley, 64, of Topeka, Kansas passed away January 1, 2010. He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1945 to Bryce and Angelyn Wadley and was raised in Cache Valley, Utah. He received a Bachelor and Masters degree from Utah State University and also received his J.D. from Tulane University School of Law in New Orleans, where he met his wife Frances Fuller Wadley. James and Frances were sealed in the Ogden Utah Temple in 1972. He has been a professor at Washburn University School of Law since 1979. While at Washburn he taught in many subject areas including Agricultural Law, Water Rights, Entertainment Law, Creative Thinking for Lawyers, Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights, and Native American Law. He authored a number of books as well. James was also active outside of the law school serving as Circuit Court Judge for the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska, and District Court Judge for the Prairie Band of Pottawatomie Nation. James was an outgoing man, who played many instruments. He had banjo fingers and directed the annual College Hill 4th of July band, and was involved in many community jazz bands. He really enjoyed volunteering and was always willing to lend a helping hand. He was an artist with many talents, who had an office and house surrounded with his painting and talents. He served many years in the Sherwood Ward for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints as Bishop and in many other areas. He was an Eagle Scout and served a two year mission for the church in Uruguay and Paraguay Mission. He is survived by his loving wife for 38 years Frances Wadley, his five children, Catherine Wadley, James (Terri) Wadley, Michael (Kaysea) Wadley, Brian Wadley, and Randall Nephi Wadley, five grandkids James and Lauren Wadley, as well as Bryce, Mitchel and KlaraLyn Wadley. He is survived by one brother Bob Wadley, and three sisters, Ann Ebert, Carma Wadley, and Joy Erekson. He was preceded in death by his parents as well as one child. Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 2401 SW Kingsrow Rd. Burial will follow in Prairie Home Cemetery. Professor Wadley will lie in state and the family will receive friends from 6:30 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Washburn Endowment Association in the Professor James Wadley Memorial Fund, 1729 SW MacVicar Ave., Topeka, KS 66604. To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.PenwellGabelTopeka.com. James Bryce Wadley
Posted January 4, 2010.
