James Reade Rials stepped out of this world into heaven on Monday, January 12, to be with his Lord and Savior as well as his beloved wife, Zanada.
Jim was born May 27, 1937, to James B. and Carleen Rials in Burkley, KY. He graduated from Murray State University with a teaching certificate and went on to teach mathematics at Riverview Gardens High School for 30 years. In his younger days he played basketball and baseball and then coached these same sports at Riverview Gardens.
An avid hunter and fisherman, he was also a remarkable woodworker who loved making items for his family members. He was also faithful member of Burkley Baptist Church.
He married the love of his life, Zanada, on January 31, 1959. They shared 66 years together before her passing in 2025.
Jim is survived by his daughters, Vanessa (Justin) Ogden and Renee Rials, 2 granddaughters, Kristin (Paul) Cords and Marisa Rials, and one grandson, Stephen Ogden as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was looking forward to becoming a great grandpa in June.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Zanada, his parents, James B. Rials and Carleen Gore Rials and his sister and brother-in-law, Lyndall and Albert Harrison.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 1:00 pm at Milner and Orr Funeral Home of Bardwell with Bro. Roger Wood and Justin Ogden officiating. Burial will follow at Bethlehem Cemetery in Cunningham.
Visitation will be held Saturday, January 17, 2026 from 11:00 am until the service time of 1:00 pm at Milner and Orr Funeral Home of Bardwell.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may take the form of a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105 or to the American Heart Association, Kentucky Region, 240 Whittington Parkway, Louisville, KY 40222 or online at www.heart.org.
Share a memory or leave an encouraging message for the family at www.milnerandorr.com.
