James R. Reagan

James Raymond Reagan (“Poppy”), 88, of St. Johns, Florida, passed away on Fathers’ Day, Sunday, June 21, 2015. Born in Camden, New Jersey in 1926, he was the son of the late Anne McCloskey Reagan, and James R. Reagan. Poppy is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Gloria Smith Reagan (“Nonnie”), and a large family who loves him dearly. Poppy graduated from Camden Catholic High School in 1943, and served in World War ll, where he was a 17-year-old 2nd LT in the Army’s First Cavalry division, stationed in Japan and responsible for transportation and logistics. Poppy later received a scholarship to Princeton University, where he studied until transferring to the University of Delaware. At Delaware, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1949, and was founder and president of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. It was there that Poppy met Nonnie, a Bridgeville, Delaware native, on a blind date, and promised her a life of love and adventure. They were married on January 2, 1950 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Seaford, Delaware, and moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee where Poppy joined the DuPont Company. Military service called them to California, where Poppy served in support of the Korean Conflict. Later they transferred back to Delaware, enabling Poppy to continue a long and successful career with the DuPont Company at the world’s largest nylon producing plant in Seaford. Nonnie and Poppy made their home in Laurel, raising five children, including Michael James Reagan of Dagsboro, Delaware; Stephen Daniel Reagan of Mountain View, California; John Walton Reagan (Jewel) of Seaford, Delaware; James Kevin Reagan (Tana), of Herndon, Virginia; and Elizabeth Reagan Milo (Gregg), of Jacksonville, Florida. Nonnie and Poppy have another “son” whom they “adopted” in their hearts, Michael Foskey (Tammy), of Lago Vista, Texas. Poppy was the proud and loving grandfather to Joseph Patrick Reagan Milo (Caitlin) of Swedesboro, New Jersey; Tara Anne Elizabeth Reagan of Arlington, Virginia; Colin McCloskey Milo of Jacksonville, Florida; and Jackie Skye Reagan and James Leonardo Reagan, both of Herndon, Virginia. Poppy’s promise of adventure is one he kept, camping with his family in places that included California, Jekyll Island (GA) and Orlando (FL), Mazatlán (Mexico), Quebec (Canada), and many spots in between. He and Nonnie visited all but one state (North Dakota), and all but one continent (Antarctica). It was during their travels to Ireland that a special memory was made. When President Reagan died, the mayor of the President’s ancestral village opened the Reagan Museum to host Poppy on a personal tour. A photo of Poppy, connecting another American Reagan to the town during the time of international mourning, appeared on the front page of the Irish Times. During his career, Poppy became a professional engineer, as well as a certified ergonomist who introduced ergonomics to the manufacturing environment at DuPont, as well as to other leading industries. Consulting assignments included a lengthy stay in Australia, and travels to Bali, Malaysia, and Morocco. Poppy served in many professional organizations, including The Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, Delaware Association of Professional Engineers, and the American Industrial Hygiene Association. He also served in numerous civic roles, such as President of the Laurel High School Booster Club, Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, and lifetime member of the American Legion. He was a longtime Navy football fan and season ticket holder, while also supporting the Blue Hens of Delaware. In 1991, Poppy retired to Florida, where he and Nonnie made their home first in Palm Coast, then in Julington Creek, and finally in Westminster Woods on Julington Creek, where he was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Mandarin. While successful in business, Poppy’s greatest legacy is the example he set in faith, charity, integrity, and hard work. These live on in his family, who remain grateful for the time with him, and who will hold him in their hearts always. It is fitting that he lived until the evening of Fathers’ Day, surrounded by his family, who showered love, admiration, and gratitude on their beloved patriarch. A Memorial Mass will be held at the historic St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Mandarin, Florida on Thursday, June 25, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests memorial contributions to Camden Catholic High School, 300 Cuthbert Road, Cherry Hill, New Jersey 08002.