James M. Alred of Springfield, IL, formerly of Murrayville and Roodhouse, IL, died Monday March 13, 2017 at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, IL. Jim was born June 22, 1938 at home in Murrayville, son of Clifford C. Alred and Lillie Israel Alred. He was the youngest of 7 children, preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Margaret (Maggie), Evelyn, and Betty, and his brother Clifford. He is survived by two sisters, Doris Edwards of Belleville, and Helen (Bill) Kilchenman of Gnadenhutten, Ohio. Jim's children survive as well; son James M. Alred, Jr. (Teresa) of Tuscola, IL, Teresa Melton (Harry) of Florissant, MO, and Sharon West (Bruce) of Jacksonville, IL.
Jim had three special relationships in his life; his marriage to Beverly Lea Skinner (Wilson, deceased, 2016) in Jacksonville, IL in 1957, his girlfriend of many years, Judy Piper (deceased) and her three daughters Mickey, Kim, and Toni, and the love of his life, Rita Harmon, and her children Keele and Amy.
Jim attended Murrayville Grade School, Roodhouse and Jacksonville High Schools, and graduated from JHS in 1956. He was a US Navy veteran, serving from 1956-1959 on the USS Saratoga CV-60, with tours of the Mediterranean and Guantanamo. After his service, Jim worked for IBM in the Quad Cities from 1959-1963. In 1963, with three children under 5 years old, Jim and his wife Beverly decided to attend Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL. Jim attended from 1963-1968, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Economics with a minor in Mathematics. He began teaching Math at North Greene Junior High in 1969 at Roodhouse. He taught for twenty years, and coached boys' basketball, girls' basketball, track, and high school baseball during his time at North Greene. Upon retiring from teaching, Jim worked for Bisch and Son Funeral Home in Springfield, and did apartment maintenance work in Springfield. He was a lifelong gardener, fisherman, dancer, and avid bridge player, a long time regular at Bridge Club of Springfield.
The family will meet Jim's friends and relatives from 4-7 pm Thursday, March 16, at Bisch Funeral Home West, 2931 S. Koke Mill Rd., Springfield. Military honors will be held on Friday, March 17, 2017 at 10 am at Camp Butler National Cemetery by the Interveteran's Burial Detail of Sangamon County and the U.S. Navy. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to Wounded Warriors or Youth Bridge Camp of Carlinville, IL.
Jim Alred will be remembered as an accomplished angler, a passionate educator, a competitive bridge player, an friend to many people throughout his life, and the best father that three children could ever have.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Bisch Funeral Home.
March 18, 2017
Vicki VanTuyle
Jim, Teresa, and Sharon, I have many fond memories of bridge club and school parties at your parents' home in Roodhouse. (Fond memories of you all as children, teenagers, as well. So sorry you have lost both parents in the last few months. My deepest sympathy.
Vicki VanTuyle
March 16, 2017
Jim was one of a kind. We played against each at the Bridge Club for the past 12 years. One hand I remember quite well was dealt on a Tuesday evening. Jim and his partner Joan had got the bid at 5 clubs. In my hand I had the ace-king of clubs and two side aces. No way could he take eleven tricks so I doubled. Jim was able to trump both of those side aces due to voids in his hand and his partners. After that 5 clubs was a laydown! I'll miss him as a friend and a bridge adversary. R.I.P. Jim.
Joe Szillagyi ( Springfield, Il. )
March 15, 2017
Beth Szillagyi
Condolences to you, Teresa, and family. I loved your dad to pieces.
March 15, 2017
Thinking of all my cousins at this very sad time ..Uncle Jim as you know did have the best sweetest way about him..I can still here Mom and him talking in the kitchen ..him laughing with her saying "now Sis" she loved her baby brother very much ...Lots of love sent your way..Dana
March 15, 2017
Nancy Brown
He was a very good person and teacher .God be with all his family he will always be remember
March 15, 2017
Carol Schuster
Jim was such a kind, helpful person. I will always remember his kindness and thoughtfulness.
March 15, 2017
Carole Hunter-Aubrey
The Alred Family -
My sincere sympathy in the passing of Jim. He was such a great guy. Always pleasant and upbeat. I worked with Jim at Bisch Funeral Home
Carole S. Hunter-Aubrey
March 15, 2017
Beth McCollom Maul
Mr. Alred was one of my favorite teachers. He helped me have a love of math. I always kidded him that when he retired someday, I was going to take his job. He was an all around good guy. My sympathy to you Jim, Teresa and Sharon.
March 15, 2017
Premier
From all of us at Premier Print Group, you are in our thoughts and prayers!
March 15, 2017
Jane Byram
I wish I could be there in person to share with you what a special person Jim was. I always told Jim that if I ever saw him without a smile on his face I wouldn't know what to do. Saturday morning bridge will not be the same without Jim. I will miss him!
March 15, 2017
KAREN MELTON
SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. I WILL KEEP THE FAMILY IN MY PRAYERS
March 15, 2017
Connie Saldivar
Jim, Teresa and Sharon you are in my prayers. Your Dad was a wonderful person.
March 15, 2017
Pamela Blakey
He was such a great teacher. I always liked how upbeat and happy he was. It always made the classroom positive. He loved what he did.
I am also thankful for his service. He served his country proud.
Sorry for his passing.
God bless
March 15, 2017
Talbert and Barbara Tomlin
Jim was a good, honest and kind man. He loved walking, fishing, and working in his lovely yard.
We met him during the time I worked with Rita. He brought a lot of happiness to Rita, and her grandchildren. He will be missed.
Our condolences to all.
March 15, 2017
Bill&Sherry Wold
We loved your ready smile and hearty "hello", Jim. When you get to heaven, we hope every hand is 7NT, doubled and vulnerable!
March 15, 2017
May God's loving kindness and comfort help you and your family through this very sad time Psalms 29:11
March 15, 2017
danette scott
Jimmy, Teresa and Sharon,
You are all in my thoughts and prayers. I'll always remember the fun we all as kids when we came to Roodhouse and Uncle Jim always comes to mind when thinking of the good ol days. God Bless in this difficult time.
March 15, 2017
Debbie Kasper (Hopper)
Mr. Alred was one of my Junior High teachers. A great teacher and always kind to the students. I'm sorry to hear of his passing. My thoughts prayers and deepest sympathy to his family during this sad time.
Debbie (Hopper) Kasper-Bloomington, IL
March 14, 2017
Marti Clark
To the Alred family and extended family---
Rich and I are so very sorry for your loss. Jim was a great guy and will be missed by so many. I spent several times with him when Teresa lived in Divernon, and later when she lived in my house in Springfield, as he lived close by. My prayers go out to all of you at this time and the difficult days and weeks ahead. You never really lose the ones you love; they stay forever in your heart.
March 14, 2017
Linda (Staats) Phillips
So sorry to hear of Mr. Alred's passing. He was a great teacher and all around Great guy. My deepest sympathy to his family.
March 14, 2017
Don Albracht
Please accept our sincerest sympathy. God bless all of you during this time of sorrow.
Don and Mary Albracht
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