James E. Reid

Born on January 15th, 1933 in Niagara Falls, New York, the son of Ariel Irene and James Leslie Reid. Jim was a devout Christian, patriot, son, brother, husband, father, and friend; a true servant, as God intended. He had a passion for sports; playing hockey, football, baseball, golf, and tennis throughout his life. He loved hockey most of all and played for Michigan State University, where he completed his education with a Master of Science degree in Personnel Management & Administration followed by a successful 24-year career with the United States Air Force. He was a highly decorated commissioned officer; a pilot and commander, spanning multiple states. He received numerous medals and awards for his exemplary service, domestically and abroad. Two of which include the Meritorious Service medal (the counterpart of the Bronze Star), for his heroic achievement in a combat zone and three Air Service medals for his acts of heroism during flight combat missions. He served three tours in the Vietnam war as well as two in the Korean war. Before the start of his military career, he married his high school sweetheart, Mary Jo Reid (Bissett) of Wyandotte, Michigan in 1956. They had four children during their 36-year marriage; Rebecca, Jim, Leslie and Lisa. The twins, Leslie and Lisa recall riding in a yellow beetle with him through winding country hills and making him laugh every time he tried to discipline them as children. Although a master authoritarian in his career, he could not reprimand them. They shared stories of disciplinary occasions that effortlessly turned into joyful moments filled with laughter and fun with their father.

Upon retirement from the military in 1979, Jim continued his work as a consultant for several Defense contracting companies across Texas and Florida. After finally settling down in Florida, he met and married Kati (Madlyn K. Bogle) on February 16, 1990. Kati was the breath of fresh air that Jim needed. Jim fell in love with the way Kati kept him on his toes with her firecracker personality and her southern Kentucky charm. Together, they raised their merged family of six with grace and love and became active members of the 1st Baptist Church of Merritt Island, Florida. He led his family, peers, and squadrons with the values of strength, honesty, integrity, fairness, hard work, commitment, selflessness, patience, accountability, and an unwavering faith in God. Jim valued quality time and always put his family first. His presence was always anticipated at every family special occasion, from his grandchildren’s school sporting events, graduations, weddings, birthdays and so much more. He was the patriarch and instilled long lasting memories that quickly became traditions.

Jim spent his final working days as a licensed realtor in Brevard County, Florida where he finally retired at age 87. A true gentleman, loved by many and never forgotten.

He was preceded in death by his oldest daughter, Rebecca Louise Reid and recently lost his son to cancer, James Charles Reid.

He will be deeply missed by his wife of 33 years, Kati (Madlyn) Reid; his twin daughters, Leslie Ann Reid (former spouse Douglas T. Gerow of Rockledge) and Lisa Marie (Patrick) Rogers of Osteen, Florida, his step-sons, Kevin Bogle (Kimber Bogle), and Bryan Bogle of Merritt Island, Florida; son-in-law Ron Reid of Deltona; six grandchildren, Stephanie Ann Rogers of Ogilvie, Minnesota, Vanessa Jo Rogers of Windsor, Missouri, Jacob Kevin Bogle and Alyssa Nicole Bogle of Merritt Island, Florida, Chase Alan Bogle of Rockledge, Florida, Parker Bryan Bogle of Satellite Beach, Florida; and Gabriel Reid Patton-Nacey, his only great grandson of Ogilvie, Minnesota. He is also survived by his older brother Leslie M. Reid of College Station, Texas, his sister Joann Cicotte of Ocala, Florida, and former wife, Mary Jo Reid (Bissett) of Osteen, Florida

A visitation for James will be held Monday, May 9, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Wylie-Baxley Funeral Home, 1360 N Courtenay Pkwy, Merritt Island, FL 32953. A funeral service will occur Tuesday, May 10, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Wylie-Baxley Funeral Home.

James will be laid to rest with Honors in Florida Memorial Gardens, 5950 Us Highway 1, Rockledge, FL 32955.

For memorial contributions, please send to the 1st Baptist Church of Merritt Island, Florida.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.wyliebaxleymerrittisland.com for the Reid family.