Roll Call Tribute

James Wilbert "Jim" Stansel 

April 8, 1934 - January 2, 2026 

Dr. Jim Stansel passed away January 2, 2026. 

A proud alum of Texas A&M University and Purdue, Jim led the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Beaumont for nearly three decades (1974-2002). His contributions to agriculture—from being a key member in the introduction of semi-dwarf rice varieties to his signature "Econo-Rice" program—left an indelible mark on the industry.

Jim was a pillar of the global rice community, serving as a vital advisor to the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) for a decade. His early research into gelatinization, cooking qualities, blast resistance, and more resulted in more than 90 published papers, many of which are still cited today.