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Mr. James Joseph “Jim” Reilly, 77, of Calahaln Road, Mocksville, died on Saturday, March 14, 2020.

He was born in New York City on Jan. 5, 1943 to the late James Patrick and Agnes O’Malley Reilly. He graduated from St. Helena High School in Bronx, N.Y. and then enlisted in the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army, where he served for three years. He served at Fort Bragg. He met his wife, Pat, and they were married in New York on April 11, 1964.  He was also a member of the NC National Guard and served until 2003, retiring at the rank of sergeant 1st class with a combined service of 33 years. He worked 35 years at Hoechst-Celanese in the maintenance department and served as head of the fire brigade for many years, as well as being a firefighting instructor. He was a charter member of the Sheffield-Calahaln Volunteer Fire Department. He was a member of St. Philip Catholic Church in Statesville, and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and working on his farm.

Survivors: his wife, Pat; 2 daughters, Kathy Shields (Coy) of Summerfield, and Patricia Scott (Joey) of Lucama; six grandchildren, Zachary and Matthew Shields, Frank (Rebecca), Wyatt, Ben and Sarah Scott; a brother, Tom Reilly (Margaret) of Woodridge, N.J.; a sister, Gerry Gibson (Tom) of Crompond, N.Y.; a brother-in-law, Jim Patterson of Pinehurst; and several nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 20 at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church in Statesville, with the Rev. Thomas J. Kessler officiating.  Burial will follow at 2 p.m. in Salisbury National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, March 19, at Eaton Funeral Service.

Memorials: Sheffield-Calahaln VFD, 435 Dyson Road, Mocksville; or to St. Phillip the Apostle Catholic Church, 525 Camden Drive, Statesville, 28677.

Condolences: www.eatonfuneralservice.com.