Other Hall of Fame

Over more than half a century wielding a cue stick in competition, Judex James defeated some of the world’s biggest names in billiards. He beat five U.S. Open champions and/or Player of the Year winners – all in tournament play. His notable victims included Corey Duea and Dallas West (twice each in the same tournament), Nick Varner, Jim Marino and Steve Mizerak.

From 1969-80, Judex won nine of 12 Peoria City championship tournaments, including seven in a row. In one storied game, in which his opponent broke but failed to sink a ball, Judex ran 150 balls and out. In the 1980s, Judex began competing on the senior pro tour, where he rose to a national ranking as high as No. 12. His first pro tour win came in 1999 at the age of 57.

In 2016, Judex was one of seven area players to represent West Peoria’s Racks on Rocks  in Las Vegas at the national-championship event staged by the Billiards Congress of America Pool League. The team topped 421 other teams to win the Men’s Mixed Open 8-Ball event.