Dr. James Wallace Webb, 66, gentleman, humanist, adored husband, beloved father and stepfather, brother and friend, passed away at his home surrounded by his family after a long illness.

He was preceded in death by his parents, J.R. Webb and Elizabeth Wallace Webb; a son, John Carl Webb; his first wife, Mary Sisson Webb, and his English Cocker Spaniel, Eliza.

He is survived by his wife, Leda Tilton; his son, Eric Webb of Lexington; his daughter, Catherine Webb (Robert) Hackett of Grand Rapids, Mich.; his two stepdaughters, Jessica (Maarten de Kok) Roitman of Leiden, Netherlands; and Susannah (Dan Wu) Roitman of Brooklyn, N.Y.; his grandchildren, Joseph and Elizabeth Hackett and Maximilliaan Darius de Kok; his sister and brother, Betty Tassin and Ray Webb of Grenada, Miss and his former in-laws, Betty and Wallace Sandifer of Baton Rouge, La.

Webb was born in Mobile, Ala., and raised in Alexandria, La., He was a graduate of Louisiana State University, earning his bachelor's, master's and Ph.D. in history there.

Webb taught in the social science and history department at Eastern Kentucky University for 32 years. He was a specialist in the history of India and led two Fulbright trips there, during which he met with Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He also taught western civilizations, economic history and British history. In addition, he taught in the EKU honors program for 10 years and mentored many students in the program.

Webb was an avid hiker and a competitive runner in 5K and 10K races. He also pursued a life-long love of astronomy as well as traveling extensively in the U.S. and abroad. He founded the Madison County Citizens Against Nuclear War and was the chair from 1982-87, a founding member of SANE, a member of the Bluegrass Amateur Astronomy Club, a member of the Madison County Unitarian Universalistic Fellowship and a longtime supporter of Planned Parenthood.

There will be a memorial service on May 2, 2004, at 4 p.m. in the EKU Meditation Chapel on the EKU campus with Dr. Bonnie Gray helping to facilitate the service and a pot luck dinner and celebration of the life of an extraordinary human being will follow in the Case Building. Turpin Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to The Council of a Livable World, 322 4th St. N. E., Washington, D.C., 20002 or the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Madison County, 209 St. George St., Richmond, KY, 40475.