James Reed (4-15-14) service 4-18-14

James R. Reed, 65, of Elkhart, Ind., passed away Tuesday, April 15, at his home of natural causes. He was born Sept. 25, 1948, in Florence, Ala., to the late James L. and Ollie “Kate” Hitchcock-Robertson Reed. He was raised in Savannah.

Surviving are four children, James “Boe” Reed, Timothy Reed, Shelly McGraw all of Elkhart, and Crystal Gordon of Oklahoma City, Okla.; six grandchildren, Payne Reed, Chance Reed, Clayton Reed, Marty Gordon, Summer Gordon and Thomas McGraw; a sister, Deborah Russell; and two brothers, Donnie Reed and Monty Reed all of Savannah.

He was preceded in death by a son, Ryan Reed, a sister, Janice Wood and a brother, David Reed.

James, or as he was commonly called, “Rooster,” enjoyed spending time with his family, friends and grandchildren, fixing up his 1964 Chevrolet Impala and attending the Simonton Lake Drive-In weekly car shows. He was a loving father and devoted grandfather. James retired from Godfrey Marine with more than 32 years of service.

Visitation for family and friends was held Friday, April 18, from 5-7 p.m. and from 9-10 a.m. Saturday, April 19, at Walley-Mills-Zimmerman Funeral Home in Elkhart, Ind.  Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 19, at the funeral home. Burial followed at Rice Cemetery in Elkhart.