James LeRoy Roderick Obituary (1926

James LeRoy Roderick age 94 of Bloomington IL passed away at 11:20 AM Tuesday, December 1, 2020 at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington IL. He was cremated. A celebration of life service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are being handled by Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington, IL. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church or to Illinois State University Foundation, Music Scholarship Fund. James was born April 20, 1926 in Roll, IN the son of James Eli and Esther E. Stafford Roderick He married Vera Morgan on June 19, 1949 in Montpelier, IN. She passed away April 6, 2015. He is survived by his daughter Becky (Mark) Ehredt, Normal IL, two sons, Richard (Carol) Roderick, Louisville, KY, and Ray (Karyn) Roderick, New York City, three grandsons, Brad Ehredt, Ryan Ehredt, Jamie Roderick, one granddaughter, Marissa Roderick. He preceded in death by his parents and sister, Elizabeth Fuson. Dr. Roderick taught music in the Indiana public schools for seven years before moving to Normal, IL. He held a Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from Indiana University and a Doctor of Music Education degree from the University of Illinois. He served as a teacher and administrator in the Illinois State University Music Department from 1956 until his retirement in 1982. He was the founder and first director of ISU Madrigals and Civic Chorale. Dr. Roderick played violin in the Bloomington-Normal Symphony for many years. He was a member of the Acacia social fraternity, Phi Delta Kappa and Phi Mu Alpha honorary fraternities and the Longfellow Club. He was an elder in the First Presbyterian Church where he served as choir director for 25 years. He served in the US Army during WWII as a Japanese linguist. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. After Jim retired in 1982 from ISU they enjoyed winters in Fort Myers, FL. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. The family would like to thank Westminster Village and also Martin Health Center for all the excellent care they gave to him. Please view the obituary and share your condolences and memories online at www.calvertmemorial.com