James "Jim" Edward Reed (73)

With great sadness, the family of James "Jim" Edward Reed announced his passing on February 21, 2022 at the age of 73. He was the beloved husband of Angela "Angie" Reed, father of Katherine Reed (predeceased), James "Jimmy" Reed Jr. (Rebecca); son to Marion E. Reed (predeceased) and Katherine E. Quillen (predeceased); brother of Katherine Eldridge (Richard), Kelly Reed (predeceased). Brother-in-law to Paula Serratore (predeceased) and Michael Curto (Sabine). Jim is also survived by countless aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Jim was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee but raised in Fort Oglethorpe and Ringgold, Georgia, where he attended Ringgold High School. Jim graduated high school near the beginnings of the Vietnam War, and after attending junior college at both Dalton State College and Clayton College in 1969, he was drafted and served one tour as a Private FC in the U.S. Army, earning two purple hearts and other commendations for his service while fighting in Cambodia in 1970. After his service, Jim moved to Atlanta where he continued his education and attended Georgia State University. While attending school, he began his 35-year career with the US Federal Government. Looking to the future in federal service, he moved to Washington, DC where he furthered his career at both the Department of Commerce and the Department of the Interior as Director of Human Resources for the Office of the Secretary. Jim was awarded a number of commendations for his work throughout his career.

It wasn't long after moving to the Washington area that he met Angie. Even though they were from "world's apart" – Jim from a quiet, largely Southern Baptist town, and Angie from an Italian Roman Catholic family in Washington – they instantly became inseparable. After dating for three years, they married in 1982 and lived in a townhome in Silver Spring, Maryland followed by the home they would live in for 25 years in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Jim and Angie welcomed their first child, Katherine, in 1988 but would sadly lose her shortly after her birth. A year later, they welcomed their son Jimmy into the world, who would become the center of Jim's life for years to come. Whether it was playing countless rounds of golf together, sneaking out to grab fast food together while Angie was away on work trips (the Burger King down the street from home was always their go-to spot), or listening to any rock and roll song from the 60s or 70s at the highest volume possible while driving in Jim's 1986 red Corvette, nothing made Jim happier than spending time with his son.

One of the highlights of Jim's life was being a part of Jimmy's journey through baseball every step of the way. From giving Jimmy a ball and a glove on the day he was born, to gearing up in catcher's gear in the backyard so Jimmy could practice his pitching as a young teenager, the countless road trips across the eastern seaboard for tournaments (he never missed a game), to watching him eventually play with the St. Louis Cardinals after four years at the University of Maryland, there were few things in life that made Jim happier than to see his son playing baseball.

The only thing Jim loved almost as much as his family was playing golf. While he was an exceptionally good player (he won countless tournaments and plenty of side bets with his buddies as a 30-year member at Argyle Country Club in Silver Spring, Md), the social nature of the game was certainly what Jim loved the most about it. His ever-present positivity and infectious smile was always on full display when he was out on the course and he certainly revelled every moment he had playing.

Jim and Angie had always envisioned a retirement in warmer weather, and later in life made that a reality when they moved to Jupiter, Florida. Sadly, an Alzheimer's disease diagnosis several years earlier quickly robbed Jim of a full "second-life" in retirement in Florida, one without many rounds of golf or days at the beach with Angie. In Jim's slow decline, he still managed to bring a smile to Angie's face, even when he was a shell of his former self. As Jim's condition worsened, that only made Angie's ability to show immense grace and compassion shine; she fully lived and breathed what they each promised on their wedding day – "in sickness and in health." Jim and Angie's marriage has been a beaming light for what true love really is to their many family members and close friends.

Jim was an amazing person – a loving husband, a caring father, and a committed friend. Everyone whom he touched throughout his life truly loved him and he will really be missed.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a memorial contribution in Jim's name to the Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org).

Additionally, the family welcomes those outside of the South Florida area to attend a funeral service on Tuesday, April 5 for Jim, virtually, HERE at 12:30 PM EST.