James Justice Reid

James Justice Reid obituary, Countryside, IL

James Justice Reid

James Reid Obituary

Obituary published on Legacy.com by Hallowell & James Funeral Home - Downers Grove on Feb. 20, 2025.

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James Justice Reid, age 98, passed into eternal life on Feb. 17, 2025 after a brief illness. He was born in Chicago to Mary (nee Justice) and Robert Reid on June 5, 1926. He is survived by his loving wife, Ruth (nee Gosswein), 6 children, 21 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by 2 infant sons, Scott and James, and a sister, Pearl. He served in the Navy during WWII. He attended Chicago Teacher's College, taught in the Chicago public schools, led Boy Scouts, day camps, girls' gymnastics (Elmhurst, IL) and was active at Grace Lutheran Church, Western Springs, IL where visitation will be held Sat. Feb. 22 at 10am followed by the service at 11am. Family requests donations in his name be made to Lutheran Life Villages or to Honor Flight. Arrangements entrusted to Hallowell & James Funeral Home, Downers Grove at 630/964-6500 or www.hjfunerals.com

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Sign James Reid's Guest Book

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March 6, 2025

Jan posted to the memorial.

March 6, 2025

Karen Klaus Kruzinski posted to the memorial.

February 25, 2025

Melissa Mick Szekely posted to the memorial.

Jan

March 6, 2025

Mr Reid was my gym teacher at Owen. My favorite class. He taught me an my brother gymnastics through school. Before class during recess sometimes sfter school. To this day I always talked about my gymnastics because of him. Rest in peace. God needs you now.

Karen Klaus Kruzinski

March 6, 2025

Remember Mr. Reid from Summer Social. He really loved teaching us kids in the gym. He made athletics fun! He left a positive make on so many lives, he will be missed.

Melissa Mick Szekely

February 25, 2025

My condolences to the family of Mr. Reid. I graduated from Owen Elementary Class of 1967 and Mr. Reid was my gym teacher during that time. I had great memories of gym class with Mr. Reid along with the numerous volleyball games we played.
May he RIP and know that he had lived a long and fulfilling life.
Melissa Mick Szekely

Lawrence Wenclawski

February 24, 2025

So many memories about Mr. Reid. The first that comes to mind is his pride in serving during WWII. Other than a great teacher who made his class fun and challenged people, he did not tolerate bullies or rudeness in his class. He was a very fair person and then he had his "Beetle." His Friday nights and summer programs helped us navigate growing up. I wish I knew he lived this long as I would have tried to visit him before I move to Iowa. As part of enjoying life, Mr. Reid made a difference in so many lives. A great man who cannot be replaced and we should not forget him. RIP

Gary Kueltzo

February 22, 2025

I was Dr.S.Center the first year they ran social center in the summer out of Owen School... graduated in 1961(January). Mr Reid was my gym teacher all the way through... good man!

Sandy Mickle

February 22, 2025

Been a few years since January 1963 ... Mr. Reid, you were the best !!! Last time we chatted was around 2000 on Classmates.com. How well after all these years I still remember square dancing , slow dancing and you saying let some light in between your partner, balance beam, climbing the ropes to the top and also the dreaded beatle. You sure taught us a lot . Fly high with the Angels to the gates of Heaven.

Cathy Emmanuil

February 22, 2025

RIP Mr. Reid. you taught me how to balance in gym class at Owen School that helped me all through my life

Former student

February 22, 2025

Rest in peace Mr. Reid

Scott Upchurch

February 22, 2025

Mr. Reid first came into my life when I attended Little Owen. He came there to teach gym class to us little rug rats and I really looked forward to it. When I went to big Owen, starting in 3rd grade, he continued as my gym teacher and I couldn´t ask for a better man to mentor me as well as all the other children I´m sure he influenced. He ran the patrol boys, which I was part of and made me part of the color guard. In gym he even taught me to dance. Unfortunately, he didn´t succeed too well with me at that. How can I forget the French cha-cha. He ran the Friday evening social and the summer social and dedicated so much of his time to us kids. And who can forget his little MG car. He was one of my favorite teachers and, though I grew up and moved away, I never forgot him or his influence on me. What a wonderful man. I will always have good memories of him and may he rest in peace.

Gregory Geiss

February 22, 2025

RIP Mr. Reid. Enjoyed you as a gym teacher throughout my years at Owen school. You taught me things that I carried with me all my life

Chris Pratl

February 22, 2025

It's been 40-years since we last saw each other, Mr. Reid, and those were most inauspicious days, indeed. I was far from the student I was capable of being and even further from the person I was to become. I'm sorry we never got to reconnect where I could offer sincere apologies for the snotty little kid that you had in two years of classes at Owen. I only wish you knew what I am really like; it saddens me to think that you possibly hearing my name over the years would only solicit bad memories. I had some good teachers in those early years, but my penchant for pushing buttons and testing boundaries never really returned the favor. I'm glad to hear you lived a long, happy life. Please know, wherever the afterlife eventually takes us, I'm grateful for the advice and small talks we did have - I retain those moments more than you know. These things shaped my life, and I thank you for that. You are appreciated, sir; to this day, whenever I hear anything remotely attributed to Science, you're thought of fondly.

"Almost counts in horseshoes and hand grenades."

Paul Ponce

February 21, 2025

I'm so very sorry to learn of the passing of Mr Reid. I was happy we were able to reconnect. I was happy to share with him my feelings about the impact he had upon my life even to this very day. You'll never be forgotten and will forever be remembered. My sincerest condolences go out to entire family.

Thank You Again and Rest In Peace
Paul Ponce
Owen School

Wayne Zade

February 21, 2025

In the mid-50s, Mr. Reid, along with Mr. Matz, ran Dolphin Day Camp on the south side of Chicago. My brother and I attended and just loved it. Some of our favorite childhood memories are of that summer experience. We´re glad to see that Mr. Reid lived a good long life. Our sincere condolences to his family on his passing. He was a great guy.

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Hallowell & James Funeral Home - Downers Grove

301 75th Street, Downers Grove, IL 60516

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Sign James Reid's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

March 6, 2025

Jan posted to the memorial.

March 6, 2025

Karen Klaus Kruzinski posted to the memorial.

February 25, 2025

Melissa Mick Szekely posted to the memorial.