James Herbert Reid

1947 - 2025

James Herbert Reid

March 23, 1947 - July 13, 2025

James Herbert Reid, 78, passed away on July 13th.

Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on March 23, 1947, Jim graduated from Oberlin College and earned his doctorate at Yale University in French Literature. He taught from 1987 to 2011 at Illinois State University, where he was valued as a warm and welcoming colleague. The author of two books on the French novel, he remained an avid reader who led an active intellectual life through academic conferences and reading groups.

He and his wife Julie Prandi met while each was visiting the Unitarian Universalist Church for the first time. They got married there and had just celebrated their 20th anniversary during a trip to Kauai.

Jim cherished hiking in the mountains. He frequently walked at Funks Grove and Merwin Preserve, where he loved hearing birds, listening to the wind, and spotting the deer. He savored every season strolling arm in arm with Julie around nearby Franklin Park. Music was also a major activity for him. He would often hum a tune to fit an occasion. As a teenager he played accordion in a dance band but he switched to the piano to concentrate on classical and jazz numbers in addition to singing as a valued tenor voice in several choirs.

Jim was always ready to offer a helping hand and will be remembered for his kindness and ability to connect emotionally. In addition to translating for the Immigration Project and tutoring with Star Literacy, he served meals at Safe Harbor and packed food at Midwest Food Bank. Jim remained a generous supporter of many charities. As a church member, he visited the sick and helped organize services as a Worship Associate.

In his last years he suffered from Alzheimer's and was not able to do many of the things he loved.

He is survived by his wife, Julie Prandi of Bloomington; his daughter Laurie Randell of Alexandria, Va.; and his brother William Reid, Jr., of Daytona Beach Shores, Fla. Jim was predeceased by his late wife Barbara Kurtz and his parents William Reid and Lorna Cunningham Reid. Jim will be remembered as an inspiring mentor, teacher, and friend whose gentle spirit and generous heart touched many lives.

Memorial service will be held on September 20th at 1 p.m., at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Bloomington. Donations can be made in Jim's memory to Doctors Without Borders or the Immigration Project.

Please visit Beckmemorial.com to share a memory of Jim.