In Loving Memory of Jim Theodore Reed Sr.: 1939-2021

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Jim Theodore Reed Sr. (also known as JT or Jake) was born to Charley and Kate (Caywood) Reed in Prairie Grove, Arkansas, which was the closest hospital at the time to the family home in Westville, Oklahoma. Charley and Kate led a family migration to the Morton, Washington area in 1942. The family first settled in Bear Canyon, moving to Glenoma, and then settled in Morton where Jim grew up. 

He was an only child but surrounded by cousins as four uncles also moved their families to the Morton area. In school he played the clarinet and excelled playing baseball. He was a pitcher with a fastball that belied his stature and often told the story of being scouted for professional baseball his junior year of high school being told to “grow six inches and put on 20 pounds” only to, as he phrased it “shrunk an inch and lost 10 pounds." During high school, he also worked part-time at the Morton Journal which would later influence his career choice in the printing industry. He was a proud member of the Morton High School class of 1957. 

He moved to Centralia in 1959 to work at Bank Check Supply and start a family with first born daughter Cheryl, followed by son Jim Jr., and daughter Susan. He was a very engaged parent coaching baseball teams, never missing a game, and attending track meets, as well as leading family excursions to pick berries, cut firewood, and pass on his love of fishing and hunting. 

Jim retired from his first career at Bank Check Supply/ Interchecks/Harlan in 1995 after 35 years. He then went to Centralia College to learn how to weld and start his second career which he enjoyed immensely having worked at Thorbuilt, Railcar and Imperial Fabricating from where he retired from the workforce. 

It is at Bank Check where he met his future wife Patty, his life partner. They were married in 2001 after 19 years of fun filled dating, having spent 39 years together. 

He was a proud member of the Cherokee nation and avid outdoorsman, lived for hunting season and would fish for almost any species. He loved music, primarily country music, and he and Patty attended countless live music events and concerts. He loved the rodeo and particularly the Pendleton Round Up but would watch it whenever and wherever he could find it. He had a curious passion for woodcutting, and it kept him healthy and active – and at the cabin, one of his happy places. He was an active Eagles Club member having served in various roles over the years and was a trustee and dedicated Tuesday night volunteer bartender. He enjoyed the many friends that he met in his years of volunteering. 

Above all, he loved visiting with his family, the time which he valued more than anything. He is preceded in death by his parents Charley and Kate Reed; son-in-law Matthew McNulty; mother-in-law Elsie Richter Greger; and father-in-law Jim Greger. He is survived by his wife Patty; daughters Cheryl Weber (husband Tom) and Susan McNulty; and son Jim Jr and his wife Tiffany; sisters-in-law Mary Cottonware, Julie Davis, and Dianna Wilks; and brother-in-law Phil Greger. He took great delight in the accomplishments of his granddaughters (if you know him, you know this) Bridget Kate, Delaney Caroline, and Abigail Rose. In addition to the immediate family, he is survived by his cherished cousins Ron, Connie, Mike, Gary and Bo; numerous nieces, nephews, and much-loved grand-nieces and nephew. 

A Graveside service will be held at 9 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 30 at the Morton Cemetery at 812 Westlake Ave., Morton, Washington.