James H. Reed

James (Jim) Henry Reed (Parkville, MO) passed peacefully away on September 20, 2025 at Tiffany Springs Senior Living and Rehabilitation in KCMO.. Jim was born on April 7th, 1940 to Louise and Marshall Reed of Cincinnati, Ohio. Jim graduated from Withrow High School in 1958, and went on to attend the University of Cincinnati, Ohio, as well as the Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Jim had many lifelong friendships dating back to Kindergarten, as well as his development of friendship through football and baseball in Cincinnati during his high school years.

Jim married Nancy Shick in 1960; they had three sons: Brad, Tobin, and Steven. Throughout his time in Cincinnati he worked at Cincinnati Industries. In 1972, he married Carolyn ( Stuhlmuller) creating a blended family of 6 children. Through their marriage they lived in Mexico, MO; Kirksville, MO; and settled in Kansas City, MO. They did a lot of camping and traveling to relatives around the states. Jim worked for 26 years at Nationwide Papers. After surviving a massive heart attack, Jim became Mr. Mom, and was a fixture at Barry Middle School and Platte County High School, being active in all the kids activities.

Soon after he married Diane (Davis) in 1989, they embarked on a life dedicated to their blended family, nature and conservation. They spent much of their time camping, canoeing, hiking all over the states; hosting birthday dinners, spending holidays with family and friends, and sitting at home reading and watching the Royals and Chiefs.

In 1989 Jim was an integral to the development of the Parkville Nature Sanctuary. He was the director for 17 years, and had even received the Mayor Proclamation sign for the “Jim Reed Trail System. Throughout his tenure there you could find Jim hosting summer camps, tours, stream teams, sponsoring Eagle Scout projects, Spooky Stories, and Trek with Santa.

Jim loved being Santa and spent many Christmas seasons bringing so much joy to kids and adults, often accompanied by Diane being Mrs. Claus. He loved fishing with his family and friends throughout North America. You could often find Jim at the local coffee shop in Parkville reading a book or chatting with anyone who came in.

He is preceded in death by his wife Diane, his son Tobin, his sisters Louise and Shirley, and brother Karl. Jim is survived by his sons Brad (Jeri) and Steve (Patti); bonus children Suzanne Forman (Bill), Gennifer Ramsay (Paul), Thomas Reed (Pam), Gina Gereau, and Rob Gereau (Kathy), 16 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. He was a beloved uncle to his crew of nieces, nephews, and a plethora of great & great-great nieces and nephews. Jim was cherished by his friends and all who met him.

In accordance with Jim’s wishes, he will be remembered by family in a private celebration of life. If you want to honor Jim, he suggested you take time to feed the birds (especially in the fall and winter), go for a walk and support your local nature sanctuary, plant a tree, support your local athletic teams, go to your local coffee shop and strike up a conversation with a perfect stranger, do a simple act of kindness and change someone’s world.