John T. Reamy

Birth date: Apr 8, 1940 Death date: Jan 18, 2026

John (Jack) Thomas Reamy died on January 18, 2026, after a long illness. Born April 8, 1940, he was the only son of Claude Reamy and Girlie (née Lumpkins) Reamy. He was raised in Washington, DC, and attended Washington public sch Read Obituary

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Beacher Wiggins

2m ago

Jack and Jacki Reamy were colleagues and friends during their tenure at the Library of Congress. They often invited colleagues to their home in DC for get togethers. They were ever the gracious hosts. Jacki was part of a group we dubbed Ridgewell's Surrogates. We did amateur catering. The Reamy household was our staging area. During all this activity and chaos, Jack was the patient, supportive, and charming host. I don't recall Jack's uttering a foul word about anyone. He extended an open invitation to visit him whenever I was in Rehoboth. Until this past year, we continued to exchange holiday greetings.

Beacher Wiggins

10m ago

Jack and Jacki were colleagues and friends during their tenure at the Library of Congress. They often invited me and others to their home in DC before they moved to Rehoboth. Jacki was part of a group we called Ridgewell's Surrogates. We did amateur catering. Our staging area was the Reamy home. Jack was ever the patient, inviting, and supportive person in the midst of all this action and sometimes chaos. I don't recall his ever uttering a foul word about anyone. Until this last holiday season, we exchanged greetings. He gave me a standing invitation to stop in whenever I was in Rehoboth.--beacher wiggins

Jeff Prince

3d ago

I will always remember Jack’s affability, affection and concern for other people in his life. Yes, I admired his knowledge of the German language, his interest in Asian art, and his experience and ability with calligraphy. When in his eighties, he began taking piano lessons and practiced daily, I was amazed.
But mostly I honor him for his devotion and concern for the other people in his life. He was a peacemaker, who always urged others to accept the flaws of mutual friends and to value their strengths.
Jack was a gentle caregiver, watching over the diet of his beloved wife, Jacki, who was a teenage diabetic, and jollying her into eating jelly beans when her insulin level was high; or urging his chosen son, Zig, to be patient and diligent as his career at the Library of Congress progressed. Together, they lived a happy and eventful life.
To quote an ancient prayer for the dead, “May He who makes peace in his own place make peace for all who mourn, as we say together, ‘Amen’”

Loretta Kelly

4d ago

in honor of John.

Remembering the times and work relationship at The Library of Congress...Rest in everlasting peace, Jack.

A lighted pale blue candle with a small white flower and a few leaves at its base, set against a soft blue background.

Mike Handy

4d ago

I met Jack in the mid-1970s when I came to the Library as a temporary editor working on the last Quinquennial edition of the National Union Catalog. At that time the division was housed in the Mass Ave Annex, a building currently occupied by the Heritage Foundation. Jack worked out of a small cubicle-style office on the second floor surrounded by the literal publication process arranged in trays spread out on two basketball courts worth of tables. It was a real production process.

While Jack was a mentor and model for many catalogers, he was also a valuable guide to the culture and peculiarities of the institution. He was an out-going man with many interests: art, food, conversation, and especially helping people. Over the years he and Jacki became friends of our family. They were the god-parents of our youngest son. The only firearm we have in our house in the country is an antique rifle which Jack's father carried hunting rabbit as a boy.

Jack will be missed, and always treasured for the man he was.

Mike Handy

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