James “Ed” Veasey Jr., 52, of Rock Island, passed away Monday July 14, 2025 at Genesis Medical Center, Illini Campus, Silvis.
James was born on October 27, 1972 in Moline, the son of James and Ruby (Barnett) Veasey Sr. He was a graduate of Rock Island High School, and James later graduated from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, where he played basketball. He completed his master’s degree at Western Illinois University. He married Carla (Reitz) Whitbread in 1998 with whom he had two wonderful daughters, Jada and Zoe. They divorced in 2007. James later married Molly Mayfield on September 8, 2023 in Rock Island, with whom he had his wonderful son, Ayden.
He started his teaching and administrator career with the Rock Island School District at Hawthorne Irving Elementary in the Rock Island School District. He was most recently employed as the Associate Principal with Davenport School District at Davenport North High School. In addition to working in the education, he assistant coached boys’ basketball at Rock Island High School for many years, coached for local AAU organizations, and head coached middle school girls’ and boys’ basketball at Edison Junior High School.
James was a devoted husband and father and was of the Pentecostal faith. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, watching college basketball, and golfing at Short Hills Country Club, where he was a member.
James was proud to have made a positive impact in shaping the future and being a youth mentor to so many students through his time as a teacher and administrator.
Survivors include his wife, Molly; daughters, Jada Veasey, Zoe Veasey; son, Ayden Veasey; father and stepmother, James and Bonita Veasey Sr.; brother, Tito Veasey; and a large extended family.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Ruby (Barnett) Veasey.
All obituary information has been taken from the funeral home, newspaper or other online resource.
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