James J. Reyes, 73, an air force colonel and a pioneer of commercial aviation in his native Ecuador who immigrated to Chicago and became an active supporter of the Republican Party, died Friday Oct. 27, in his Chicago home. Mr. Reyes’ experiences in the air spanned five decades, beginning as a pilot during World War II and continuing until six years ago as a trainer for a Schaumburg-based flight school. Continuing that tradition, two of his daughters became flight attendants and one of his granddaughters is now a pilot in Ecuador, said his daughter Yhira Ratcliffe. Born in Sangolquiin Pichincha province, Mr. Reyes was raised in the nation’s capital, Quito, where he joined the air force. He later trained and served in Texas alongside U.S. forces. Leaving the service, Mr. Reyes joined a handful of other Ecuadorean pilots in founding a company to expand the country’s commercial flights. The company grew to offer service to Chile, Peru, Argentina and the U.S. Mr. Reyes retired in 1969 and moved to Chicago, where he had friends. In addition to teaching pilots, Mr. Reyes donated time and money to Republican Party causes. In addition to his daughter, survivors include his wife, Thelma; seven sons, Ricardo, Roberto, Alberto, Jaimie, Hugo, Salomon and Jacobo; a brother, Rene; his former wife, Leonor Reyes; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Mass will be said at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in St. Pascal Catholic Church, 3935 N. Melvina Ave., Chicago.
