URBANA – James C. Wilson Jr., 56, a local radio personality, writer and former star athlete at Urbana High School, passed away on Dec. 26, 2006, at his home in Urbana.

Funeral services will be at Wesley United Methodist Church on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2006, at 2 p.m. Dr. Howard L. White will officiate. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29, 2006, at Renner-Wikoff Chapel and Crematory, 1900 S. Philo Road, Urbana.

Jim was born Oct. 10, 1950, in Charleston, W.V. His father, James C. Wilson Sr., was an accomplished college athlete, who was an assistant track coach at the University of Illinois when he died in 1967. His mother, Winnie R. Wilson, a teacher and administrator in the Champaign Public School system for many years, retired in 1996 and resides in Urbana.

Other survivors include Jim's sister, Karen Wilson, a lawyer in the U.S. Deptartment of Justice in Washington D.C.; and nephew, Campbell James, 8.

Jim starred in track and football at Urbana High School, from which he graduated in 1969. He competed in the state meet as a high jumper and for many years held Urbana High's record in the event. He was elected president of his senior class, and then went on to earn a degree from the University of Illinois College of Communications.

Jim, who often spoke fondly of having attended the 1969 Woodstock Music Festival in upstate New York, was a fixture in the local music community. His pioneering "Roots Rock, and Reggae radio program, which aired for 25 years on WEFT 90.1 FM, was one of the first programs in the nation to play tribute to reggae music. The station planned a tribute to Jim on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2006, from 8 to 10 p.m. when the program usually aired. For many years, Jim also wrote a regular column under the pseudonym "Chef Ra" for High Times magazine.

He will be remembered for the loving support he gave his mother in recent years and for his devotion to his sister and nephew. He will be sorely missed by his hundreds of friends in the local community.

The family asks that memorials be made to the Wesley Foundation, 1203 Green St., Urbana IL 61801.