Emeritus Professor of English James "Jim" Mellard died on Sunday, July 27, 2014. He was born on January 30, 1938, in West Monroe, Louisiana, Ouachita Parish. He married his wife of 56 years, Sue Gilbert, on May 28, 1958, in North End Methodist Church in Beaumont, TX. Besides his wife he is survived by his three daughters, Tandy Alice Mellard of Austin, TX, Cynthia Kathleen Petrie (Randy) of DeKalb, IL, and Catherine Sue Widder (Jay) of Fair Oaks Ranch, TX; two grandchildren, Tristan James Widder and Savannah Grace Widder; five sisters, Fredna Cruiseturner of Hillister, TX, Helen "Pet" Gerson of Beaumont, TX, Mary McGraw of Newton, TX, Patti Greene (Eddie) of Kingwood, TX, and Evelyn Moore (Ricky Rinehart) of Mooringsport, LA; one brother, Marshall Mellard (Michael Case) of Houston, TX; and numerous friends, colleagues, and students. He is preceded in death by his parents, Connie Marshall Mellard and Pauline Watts Mellard.
James was well known throughout his school years for his outstanding basketball talent. As all-star center for two Buna High School basketball teams, he led the team to two all-state basketball championships in 1954-55 and 1955-56. In 1955 and 1956, he made the 20-A All District Teams and the Sports Writers' All-Tournament Teams at the state tournament in Austin. At Lamar State College of Technology, he became Lamar's first 1,000 point career scorer and played on the 1957-58 All-Conference team. He is to this day well-known for his signature fadeaway jump shot, with much evidence suggesting that he invented the shot.
James received his B.A. degree from Lamar University (formerly Lamar State College of Technology), his M.A. from Oklahoma University in Norman, and his Ph.D. from the University of Texas in Austin. He spent the majority of his academic career at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL. He was widely published, having written many books and articles. He edited the journal Style at NIU, continuing to review submissions after retirement. He served as chair of the Department of English, acting dean of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, head of NIU's reaccreditation review, and interim athletic director. In his student days at Lamar University, he edited and published the first two issues of the journal Pulse that is still thriving.
The legacy James leaves behind is two-fold. To his family he was a kind, gentle, caring, selfless, patient, loving, and compassionate father, husband, grandfather, son, and brother. He loved his wife, his children, and his grandchildren beyond measure. He lived his life teaching the importance of family, education, and giving love unconditionally. To his friends, students, and colleagues he was an enthusiastic teacher of literature, writing, and critical theory. His academic leadership is remembered fondly. Students and colleagues appreciated his natural sense of humor and innate kindness. He was a generous mentor who gave of his time freely.
A Celebration of Life for friends and relatives will be held at 3:00 pm. on August 23 at the Mellard residence. An intimate family service will be held Sunday, August 3 at Ebensberger-Fisher Funeral Home in Boerne, TX. A burial service at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Beaumont, TX will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts and donations can be made to: Lamar University Foundation for the benefit of The James and Sue Gilbert Mellard Endowment. Checks can be mailed to Lamar University Foundation, PO Box 11500, Beaumont, TX 77710 or online at www.lamar.edu, or to Northern Illinois University for the benefit of the James M. Mellard Endowment for the Journal Style. Checks can be mailed to Northern Illinois University Foundation, PO Box 746, DeKalb, IL 60115. To leave condolences for the family, please visit www.ebensberger-fisher and select the Obituaries tab.
The family wishes to express heartfelt acknowledgement of the loving care provided to James by the nurses and aids of Alamo Hospice, Home Instead Senior Care, and Standards Home Health.
Arrangements with Ebensberger-Fisher Funeral Home of Boerne, TX.