James Reese Bechtel

James “Jim” Reese Bechtel, of Fleetwood, passed away after a long illness May 13, 2015. He was the husband of Rebecca L. (Ream) Bechtel, whom he married May 22, 1992.

A native of Boyertown, PA, Jim was the son of the late George S. and Mary A. Bechtel. Jim was a 1964 graduate of Boyertown High School, where he played football and baseball. He continued his interest in baseball as a coach for the Topton Little League and Topton Legion teams for several years. He served in the US Army 79th Reserves Command from 1966-1972, as a shooting instructor and member of the 79th ARCOM Rifle and Pistol Team.  Over his years of service he won many awards for his shooting excellence with both rifle and pistol. After his service he joined several shooting clubs and continued competing in shooting matches where he placed in the top three in national, regional and local championships.

Despite becoming legally blind in 2007, he placed in the top three in several pistol matches with the Marine Corps League at Fleetwood Fish and Game. He was a member of the Lenni-Lenape and Boyertown Rod and Gun Clubs, the Oley VFW and the American Legion. Jim’s skill with construction led him to start his own painting and restoration business. He was very proud that he never had to advertise yet had all the work he could handle. Some of his restoration work was featured in Lehigh Valley Style magazine. Prior to starting his own business he worked for many years for the Borough of Boyertown as a member of their road crew

Jim is survived by his Wife, Becky (Ream) and three wonderful children, James Reese Bechtel, II, of Fleetwood, Samuel E. Ray, husband of Stefanie Hobbs Ray and Granddaughter, Emma of Pittsburgh, PA; Leah A. Cooper, wife of Bill Cooper and Grandson Damian of Sunbury, PA. He is also survived by his Sister, Georganne, wife of James Shepherd of Nottingham, PA; In addition, he had many brothers and sister-in-laws, nieces and nephews who he loved very much. The family would like to thank the nurses, doctors and staff at Fresenius dialysis center in Kutztown, PA for their excellent care of Jim over the years. Their compassion, kindness, humor and professional skills enabled Jim to make the most of his life.

Friends and family members are invited to an informal celebration of Jim’s life to be held at the Kutztown Fire Company Banquet Hall, 310 Noble Street, Kutztown, PA 19530 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, Monday, May 18th, 2015. Burial services at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to any of Jim’s favorite charities: Guiding Eyes for the Blind, 611 Granite Springs Rd., Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 or on-line at www.guidingeyes.org/donate-now , Humane Society of Berks County, 1801 N. 11th Street, Reading, PA 19604 or the Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 or on-line at support.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate . Arrangements are by the Ludwick Funeral Home, Kutztown, PA.