James Robert Reed's Obituary
Born: August 26, 1970 in Dallas, Texas, Presbyterian Hospital and Passed Away: November 16, 2015 in Dallas, Texas. James was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Clifford and Mart English and paternal grandparents Reuben Reed and Melva Taylor-Reed. James is survived by his parents Jean Ann and Francis Reed, brother Eric Reed, sister in law Teresa Peters-Reed, nephew Jack Reed and niece Helen Reed. His Aunt and mother’s twin sister Cliffa Jean Belinski, Aunt Cleda Reed-Smith, Uncle Johnny & Aunt Martha Reed and Aunt Judy English. He is also survived by many wonderful cousins in Oklahoma, Texas and Tennessee as well as friends everywhere. A Memorial Service for James will be held on December 5, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. at the Wildwood Chapel at the Restland Funeral Home, 13005 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75243. www.RestlandFuneralHome.com. In lieu of flowers please send memorial donations made to Presbyterian Communities & Services Foundation, 6100 Colwell Blvd. Ste 225, Irving, Texas 75039 for Faith Presbyterian Hospice. On August 26, 1970 Jean Ann, Francis and Eric Reed were blessed with a beautiful, healthy and peaceful baby named James Robert Reed. He had platinum blond hair with curly locks, deep blue eyes, rosy checks and a precious smile. As a small child he enjoyed exploring and would often go off alone to explore the world around him. He especially enjoyed playing with his big brother Eric. He loved to ride bikes and rode dirt trail BMX with Cook Brothers Cranks and Chrome-Ally Frames. James loved working on bicycles, cars, airplanes or anything mechanical and was incredibly mechanically minded like his father. He worked for the Blue-Max Nitro Funny Car Racing Team as a crew member. Being artistic he also worked at the family Dental Lab, Reed & Associates, doing Crown & Bridge and Porcelain Ceramics. As part of his creative and artistic side he became a self-taught and accomplished gourmet cook. As an athlete he enjoyed many sports that included soccer, swimming and especially skating. James’ love and passion for skating led him to play Hockey which earned him a position on the Dallas Hockey Travel Team through early junior high and all the way through community college winning many awards and tournaments. During High School, James started a rock n’ roll band with several friends known as “The Hemingways” and played music sounding similar to U2 and another band known as The Ocean Blue of the 80s. The Hemingways recorded several songs that were very cool, alternative, new wave style and enjoyable to listen to, if you’re a rocker. James graduated Richardson High School in the Class of 1989. Upon graduation from high school, he completed an Associates’ Degree at Brookhaven Community College,. During college, he also pursued his lifelong career interest in flying by entering flight school and becoming a pilot. Flying a airplane was also his passion. He earned a pilot’s license completing the basic flight, instrument, commercial and multi-engine ratings. He was a pilot for several Airlines and other Commercial Flight Operations who was qualified and certified to pilot many different aircraft. James was an incredibly easy going, genteel person who was not boastful of his talents and was often a fun prankster with his friends. James was very proud of his Choctaw heritage as an enrolled member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. His affinity towards animals with his friendly aura magically attracted a variety of animals to him wherever he encountered animals. He loved his Border Collie, Chuck, a little white stray cat as well as his dogs Ranger and Trooper. Whether flying, playing Hockey, hunting or spending time with friends or family, James had a great many incredible adventures that he undertook, enjoyed and sometimes luckily survived. James truly did things his way and on his terms in life. The Reed family is very grateful to have had James in their lives and appreciate all of his compassionate and wonderful friends who were true to him and helped him over the years. As a little boy, James loved to say prayers at bedtime and ended his day with the Lord’s Prayer which he carried on throughout his life. James will be missed by many but he is free as a bird in the wind and his spirit will surround us and the great memories of him will live with us every day. Pall Bearers: Douglas Baxter, Todd Keith, Mike Livingston, Dale McDowell, Kyle Morris, Frederic Thuelier, Andy Watters, Reid Weatherford and Scott Wilson. Honorary Pall Bearers: Brian Belinski, Paul “Shorty” Brown, Clifford E. English, Tom Gibbons, Fred Gibbons, Rob Reed, Eric Reed and Rory Spikes.
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