Obituary of Jimmy Ray Reed

Jimmy Ray Reed August 04, 1923 - July 24, 2009 services for Jimmy Ray Reed, 85, of Lovington will be held on Monday, July 27, 2009 at 10:00 am at Kirby-Smith- Rogers Funeral Home Chapel with James Kirby officiating. Jimmy was born August 4, 1923 in Carbon, Texas to James Edward and Mamie Alma Gann Reed and passed away at his residence on July 24, 2009. He attended schools in Eastland and was a cowboy for the Eureka Ranch in Wilcox, AZ until he joined the Army-Air Force in February of 1943 at the age of 19. He was discharged on Dec. 23, 1945. He proudly served his country during WWII in the South Pacific Theater and was a member of America’s Greatest Generation. He married Belle Elizabeth Jackson on June 21, 1947 in Lovington, NM. They celebrated 62 years of marriage this year. Beth and Jimmy opened Reed Welding Service in 1952 and retired in 2002 after 50 years. Jimmy was an outstanding welder and loved working. He had been a member of Lovington Masonic Lodge # 46 for over 50 years, a member of First United Methodist Church, VFW and the American Legion. He is survived by 3 children, Deborah & husband Gary Dearman of Monahans, TX, Clifton & wife Pam Reed of New Braunfels, TX., and Kathleen Freebird of Las Cruces, NM. Also surviving him are 8 grandchildren: Angela, Dustin, Amanda, Erin, Collen, Baylee, Leigh and Pete and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 sisters, Tommye Oldfield and Frances Lee and 2 grandsons, Lonnie Dee Jennings and Donovan Ray Dearman. He is also survived by family friends, Max & Jean Collins, Lonnie and Mary Jennings and Margaret Appleton. The family would like to thank Star Health Care for their care, compassion and love for Jimmy during his illness. Thank you Max & Margaret- We love you. Visitation will be Sunday, July 26th from 2:00 pm until 6:00 pm. Services are entrusted to Kirby-Smith- Rogers Funeral Home.