James “Jimmy” Edward Pierpont Reese (“Coach Reese”) is loved and respected by family, many friends, former students, and colleagues. The son of Eugene Lewis Reese and Beatrice White Reese, he was born on East Hill, Nov.2, 1917 and reared in Pensacola. He had celebrated his 100th birthday at the First Presbyterian Church before passing away on Nov. 18, 2017.
Jimmy grew up in the country around Pensacola where he did some farming and participate in sports. He graduated from Pensacola High School. He furthered his academic career at Appalachian State Teacher’s College majoring in math and physical education on a wrestling scholarship while serving as captain of the wrestling team.
At the outbreak of WWII, Jimmy left college to join the United States Army Air Corp (today known as the United States Air Force) serving from 1942-1944 as a flight instructor and later as a member of the “Flying Tigers” as a fighter pilot in China. He married his sweetheart Julia Edith Fitch on May 2, 1942. Following the end of WWII, Jimmy returned to Appalachian State with his beloved wife Julia and his daughter Martha. He completed his bachelor’s degree and returned to Pensacola to teach. During the summers, Jimmy and his family (then including wife, Julia, and daughters, Martha and Julie) traveled to Kent State University where he completed his Masters degree in education.
He started his educational career as the only physical education teacher for six hundred boys at Blount Junior High and coached all of the intramural sports activities during and after school hours. The winning records of his teams earned him the title “Coach”. When another physical education teacher was added to the faculty, he began teaching math too. His style of teaching by getting students involved in the educational activities was very successful. During his years at Blount, he also taught math at the adult high school at night. He served as a middle school coach and math teacher, an elementary school physical education teacher, a middle school assistant principal, and ultimately principal of Hallmark Elementary School. Jimmy also served on Ralph Turlington’s (head of the Department of Education for the state of Florida) advisory board. Although he enjoyed many successes and accolades in his educational career, his primary focus remained on meeting the needs of his students, parents, and teachers. Jimmy was always an advocate for those in need and maintained faith in and support for all he knew and cared for during their successes and failures.
Jimmy’s favorite pastimes included fishing, hunting, and square dancing, which he and Julia (Pal) did often and as far away as Alaska and Hawaii. He led a traveling family too, crossing the country many times. Some of their trips were to CBI meetings and conventions. Many trips included family graduations, weddings, and other special events.
Jimmy was known for his courage, honesty, kindness and wisdom. He was the patriarch of a large extended family who looked to him for guidance in matters of consequence. His family included his wife of 72 years, Julia Fitch Reese (deceased), daughters Martha Sugermeyer and Julia Reese-Whiting, son-in-laws, Lt. Cdr. Neil Sugermeyer (USN retired), Lt. Cdr. Ken Whiting (USCG retired, deceased), and William Geddes; grandchildren: Ethan and Rita Reese-Whiting, Seth Whiting (deceased), Zachary Reese-Whiting, Liz Sugermeyer, Andy and Evie Sugermeyer. His great-grandchildren, Sophie Sugermeyer and Michael James Sugermeyer are the most recent and loved additions.
Jimmy’s manner and soothing words aided young and old during difficult and joyous times and his positive influence touched the lives of many. A memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 33 W. Gregory St., on Friday, December 1, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. with a reception to follow in the parlor.
Family and friends can share their memories and feelings and get updated on the memorial service at trahanfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Trahan Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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