James W. Ardrey, age 86, of Gap, PA, passed away at the Quarryville Presbyterian Retirement Community on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.  He was the husband of the late Trudy Lyle Ardrey, who passed away on March 30, 2021.  He was born in Altoona, PA, son of the late Albert & Adra Witherow Ardrey.  Jim served in the Air Force from January 1957 to August 1959, working with airborne jamming equipment.  He started his working career at Lukens Steel Company as a crane operator, janitor at Pequea Valley High School and then as a milkman for Pensupreme.  In 1965 he started his insurance career with Washington National as a life insurance agent, then starting Ardrey Insurance of Gap in 1976.  In the past he served as president of Reamstown Mutual.   He was a member of the Bellevue Presbyterian Church of Gap,  Christiana Masonic Lodge, former Salisbury Lions Club where he served as a past District Governor of District 14D and was a Melvin Jones and international award recipient.  He served on the Pequea Valley School Board for over 20 years.

Surviving are his 5 children: Tamela wife of David Shoup of Chandler, AZ, Amanda wife of David Doutrich of Gap, Paula wife of Brian Diem of Gap, Cathy wife of Abdol Moabery of Del Ray Beach, FL, Tim Ardrey of Lancaster, 7 grandchildren: Paige, Kyle, Evan, Falon, Weston, Chase, Morghyn, 5 great grandchildren: Rylee, Parker, Amelia, Adalyn, Finn and 4 half siblings:  Funeral service will take place from Bellevue Presbyterian Church, 810 Newport Avenue, Gap, PA, on Saturday, February 21st at 11 a.m. with a viewing time from 9:30 a.m. until time of service.  Interment will be in the adjoining church cemetery.  The family would like to extend a special thank you to Jim's caregiver Lena Riehl and the incredible Dr. Lynn Booth and Evergreen Estates for the wonderful care Jim received.