James Reehl

Born in Cullman, Alabama

Resided in Fairview, Tennessee

Celebration of Life: On the Tennessee RiverSunday August 16, 2015 3:00pm to 4:00pm

Reehl, James Roger, 62, died peacefully at his daughter's Fairview, TN, home on Saturday, August 1st, after a brief battle with cancer and a five-year survival of a stroke that led him to move back to his family home in Montgomery, AL, from his 30-year adult life in Nashville, TN. The last two months of his life were spent back in his cherished Nashville area with his only surviving child, his beloved daughter of whom he was so proud, Theresa Marie Reehl Johnson. Theresa and her devoted family lovingly cared for Roger: husband (Roger's dedicated son-in-law), Kyle Patrick Johnson; and sons (Roger's treasured grandsons): Tobias Scott Johnson; Julian Priest Johnson; James "Mason" Johnson; and Talon Patrick Johnson, all of Fairview, TN. Roger was born in Cullman, AL, on November 7, 1952, to his recently-deceased parents, James William and Betty Sue Waldrop Reehl (Ruehl). Great-great grandson of Nickolaus Andreas Ruehl and Katherine Stamm Ruehl, Roger was proud to be a descendant of two of the original German immigrant settlers in 1873 who helped found Cullman, AL. Roger grew up in Montgomery, AL, and graduated from Auburn University. His professional and personal lives were aligned and spent as an environmental and wildlife specialist, explorer and advocate. He retired from the URS Corporation as an environmental engineer in 2010. Roger continued to pursue his love of genealogy, every subject, and travel to learn more about topics he prolifically read about in all literary genres. He was the Vice President of the national McBrayer Family Association, the family from whom he descended. He was a unique being who loved family and familial tradition; yearned for never-ending knowledge; enjoyed all types of music; and delighted in a hearty discussion about any and all topics of life. He was a stranger to no one, as his inquisitive and intelligent mind, quick humor, and kind and accepting spirit immediately endeared him to those he met in his travels and life.

Roger was predeceased by his parents in March and April of this year, as well as by his grandparents, William Emil Ruehl and Stella Elizabeth Neely Ruehl, and Thomas Oscar Waldrop and R Leavie Patterson Waldrop, all of Cullman, AL, and his brother-in-law, James Timothy Broderick, of Montgomery. He is survived by his sisters, Susan Reehl Broderick Mallett (Jim) and Starr Reehl Wilson, of Montgomery; his brother, William Rance Reehl (Dwaylah), of Fairhope, AL; many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews; his sole surviving uncle, Charles Wert Waldrop (Frances), from Cullman, AL; his sole cousin from his Reehl family, James David Keith (Kaye), of Woodbridge, VA; many Waldrop family cousins (descending from Cullman, AL); his daughter's mother and father-in-law, Donnie and Lori Fruin Healey, of Fairview, TN; and family/friends from all across the country.

A celebration of the life of Roger will be held on Sunday, August 16, 2015, on the TN River, at 1600 AL-20, Decatur, AL 35601. Leading the celebration with word, prayer and song will be cousin, Rev Guy Waldrop, Lexington, KY; cousin, Jerry Weathersby, Cullman, AL; and steadfast friend, Greg Dawdy, Chattanooga, TN. Guests are requested to dress for the outdoors; come for family visitation, if desired, at 2 p.m.; and attend the celebration at 3 p.m. A dinner for all guests will be hosted by Theresa and Kyle Johnson following the event. A grave-side service at Roger's parents' cemetery site in Montgomery will be held at a later date. As per Roger's request, any desired donations may be made to Dalraida United Methodist Church, 3817 Atlanta Hwy, Montgomery, AL 36109, the Reehl family church for over 55 years.

At later date, Theresa (Reehl) Johnson will send out details for a celebration of Roger Reehl's life on Cumberland River in Nashville TN at Roger's request for TN friends, and family.