September 10, 1951 – November 7, 2022
James G Wilders Reed
James G Wilders Reed Sr. was born on September 10, 1951 in Tokyo, Japan to James H. Reed and Juanita Hidano Reed. Jim’s sister, Claudine Maria, was two years older.
Jim grew up mainly in Tokyo and attended St. Mary’s International School from kindergarten through high school graduation, with a short interval in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Jim enjoyed all elements of a city life and enjoyed being surrounded by many relatives on his mother’s side. He was a standout varsity basketball player in his high school years and thoroughly enjoyed a very full social life.
After graduating from Sophia University in Tokyo with Political Science and Far East Studies degrees, Jim joined the US Marines and was in Officer’s Candidate School in Quantico, VA. Most fortunately, the Vietnam War ended and Jim finished his tenure with the Marines prior to seeing any combat duty.
Jim began work in the financial services industry, in San Francisco, in the mid 1970’s; as a beginner in the world of stocks and international finance. In 1977, he met the love of his life and future wife, Beverly Horan, through friends in San Francisco.
Jim and Bev soon moved to London, were married there in 1978 and welcomed James G Wilders Reed Jr in 1979. Returning to the US brought the new family to the East Coast of the US. They settled in southwestern Connecticut and Jim pursued a phenomenal career in New York City. Jim worked for many of the top global investment firms over his decades long career.
In 1981, Jarrod Vincent Reed was welcomed to the family. A blossoming Wall Street career and raising two busy young boys completed the early 1980’s for Jim and Bev.
A brief interlude in the Los Angeles Area in 1985-86 added Justin David Reed to the Reed Family. The family returned to Connecticut and life was very full. Jim’s career spanned multiple international corporations and involved extensive travel.
1996 brought another cross country move to the Seattle area. The Pacific Northwest remained the family’s hub, but the years from 1996 to 2011 involved multiple international posts and much travel for Bev and Jim both. Jim’s career and influence on the global equity markets was vast and impactful.
Jim Reed was extremely proud of his family. Arduous international journeys were made to be sure he could be there for his sons’ athletic pursuits. His work ethic could easily be described as driven, but his dedication to family and friends also left an indelible impression.
2011 did not bring about any normal type of retirement for Jim. Over the next decade, he formed multiple angel investing funds and a few financial companies. He needed to keep his brain and work ethic happy. His expertise and mentorship was shared generously.
Jim and Bev loved travel. Jim loved his two German Shepherds, Lucky and Iada. He enjoyed following many types of sports, both professional and collegiate. Jim enjoyed finding the best restaurants and kept extensive notes on types of food and where he wanted to return. Jim loved reading and collected hundreds of books. Likewise, he loved music and collected hundreds of cd’s as well. Jim enjoying collecting wine and was always learning more and more about the best vintages. Jim had a world class sense of humor.
Jim loved his people. He was a loving and beloved Dad and Grandpa. He was a loyal friend to many. Sharing stories and experiences with those he connected with was a true delight for him. March 2022 brought the devastating death of middle son, Jarrod Vincent. It was absolutely unexpected and truly brought Jim to his knees.
After nearly a five-year valiant battle with metastasized liver cancer, Jim transitioned into the next life on the evening of November 7, 2022. He was surrounded by Bev, Jim Jr, Justin, daughters-in-law Brianna and Dorothy, granddaughters Elliott Maxine and Lucille Beverly and grandsons James G Wilders Reed III, Jackson David and Henry Miller. Many loving friends were able to visit with him in his final days, as well.
Jim is predeceased by his son, Jarrod; his sister, Claudine; his mother, Juanita H Reed; and father, James H Reed; as well as many other beloved relatives.
James G Wilders Reed Sr was a man that was loved and who loved. That was his fuel and raison d’etre. He was an enigma in many ways fully engaging with his multiple heritages. He was able to feel at home most anywhere he went. He made a big impression and will not be easily forgotten. He has been described as larger than life. He lit up the room and usually had someone laughing hysterically in pretty short order.
Jim Reed’s presence will be missed by many and most who ever had the good fortune to meet him.
A Celebration of Life to honor Jim’s life and legacy will be held on Friday, January 27, 2023 at 11:00 am.
Sacred Heart Church
9460 NE 14th St.
Bellevue, WA. 98004
425-454-9536
A reception will be held immediately following the Celebration to continue the stories, love and laughter. We hope you’ll join us. Details on location will be forthcoming in early January.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to organizations in the cancer battle or to the
Questions or requests to be added to the notification list can be sent to jgwrmemorial@gmail.com
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