Remembering James Reedy

Georgia Tech and the College of Sciences community sends its condolences to the family and friends of James (Jim) Reedy, a former professor and chair of the College's former Department of Health & Physical Education. His family held a memorial service on October 23 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Philip Sparling, professor emeritus in the School of Biological Sciences, shared the following message in honor of Reedy:

“Dr. Jim Reedy, a longtime department chair at Georgia Tech, passed away on October 4th at age 85. Recruited in 1978, he led major changes in his unit’s mission and curriculum that included an expansion from physical training classes to courses in lifetime fitness, human anatomy, exercise physiology, and biomechanics. He provided resources to new faculty to develop research programs and transformed the Department of Physical Education & Recreation into the Department of Health & Performance Sciences, a unit within the College of Sciences (today as part of the School of Biological Sciences). He served as chair for 20 years under four different deans (1978-1998). He retired in 2000. Dr. Reedy was a charismatic, passionate, and gifted administrator who had a lasting impact on the GT community.”

James Reedy obituary

James Alan Reedy, beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend passed away peacefully on October 4, 2023, in Atlanta, Georgia. He was 85 years old. Born in Clintwood, Virginia, he was preceded in death by his parents Corbett and Lelia Reedy, loving wife Kay Reedy and sister Nancy Olson. He is survived by his children Jody Reedy Andrade (Billy), Betsy Reedy Sawyer (Ryan), Bryan Dunlap (Kelley), Bo Dunlap (Jill), and Greg Kershner (Leigh). Jim was a proud grandfather to his fourteen grandchildren: Cameron, Grace, Tyler, Eli, Sidney, Paige, Grant, Jackson, Meredith, Eliza, Isabella, Sechaba, Talia and Meti. 

Jim was a graduate of John Marshall High School in Richmond, Virginia and Bridgewater College where he resides in the Hall of Fame for men’s basketball. He earned a master’s degree from Long Beach State and doctorate degree from Vanderbilt University. 

Jim had a strong Christian faith grounded from his youth and his parental teachings. This led to a work ethic that was admired for its integrity and dedication to the field of health and physical education. A life-long educator, he served in many roles including teacher, coach, athletic director and college administrator. He began his career at Bridgewater College and finished at Georgia Tech as department head and professor of the Health and Performance Sciences Department. His influence upon those with whom he taught and mentored lingers to this day. 

Jim enjoyed daily exercise, delicious food, a good old movie, anything sports related and especially time with family. He had a gift for storytelling and could captivate an audience with his humorous tales and poems. Over the past several years, he began to write novels and had several published that relied on the connections he had with people throughout his life. He chose joy daily and his encouraging spirit will be forever missed.