James E. Reeder, 81, of Ottawa, Kansas died Saturday, October 16, 2021 at AdventHealth in Ottawa, KS.

He was born May 9, 1940 in Melvern, KS the son of Harvey Claude Reeder and Leona Pearl (Sutton) Reeder.  He graduated from Ottawa High School in 1958.  Following graduation, he attended Emporia State University.

Jim started working at Western Electric in 1958, which eventually became AT&T.  He worked in management while there for 36 years, until his retirement in 1992. 

He joined the Unites States Marine Corps in 1960 and served his country proudly earning the rank of Private 1st class.

In 1965 he was united in marriage to Sharon Lister.  They were married for 34 years and raised three children together. They later divorced.  On May 23, 2002, James married Bonnie Kraus in Ottawa, KS.  They shared 19 years of loving marriage.

Jim loved spending time with his family and friends.  He regularly spent time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed playing pool weekly with a group of close friends, was a member of the Ottawa Eagles Lodge, and was a part of the “McDonald’s Coffee Group.”

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Pearl Reeder, and a brother, Dale Reeder.

He is survived by his wife, Bonnie Reeder of Ottawa, KS; a son, Jim Reeder and his fiancé, Kenzie Singleton, of Ottawa, KS; two daughters, Wendy Swartz of Ottawa, KS, and Ashley Mills and her husband, John, of Lenexa, KS; a sister, Sally Stromgren and her husband Tom, of Horseshoe Bay, TX; two step-children, Deidra Casida and Dena Summers; seven grandchildren, Amber Crowl and her husband, Jeff, Alec Dewitte, Sydney Kuhn and her husband, Phill, Elisabeth Dewitte, Samantha Dewitte, Landon Reeder, and Lanie Dewitte; one step-grandson, Bryce Casida; as well as Agnes and Henry Lambert, children of Kenzie; and four great-grandchildren, Trent, Ellis, Hayden, and Emma .

To celebrate Jim’s life, a memorial service will be held on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, 325 S. Hickory, Ottawa, KS.  Flowers are welcome, or donations can be made through Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, P.O. Box 14, Ottawa, KS 66067. Condolences may be sent to the family through www.lamb-roberts.com.