He went to Davis and Sulphur schools growing up before he joined the Marine Corps in 1968where he completed his schooling as well as becoming an MP and advancing to Corporal, serving in the Vietnam war. Jim “Papa” Reeder was an ornery cuss filled with love, laughter and jokes. When words escaped him (which wasn’t often), or when there were no words – usually in response to a kiddo’s facial expression, bodily function, or general fussiness – “Ah BULL” would fill the air generally followed by laughter. He was also the kind of person who liked to “poke the bear” by a slurred “yes dear” to ANY response from loved ones – and also followed by a quick reaction duck on his end to avoid the subsequent flying object – again filling the room with laughter. Jokes filled the air until the end. Jim was an avid outdoorsman.

He loved fishing, hunting, cutting wood, bailing hay, working with livestock, as well as showcasing his carpentry and electrical skills in odd jobs he would pick up. He spent many of his leisure days at the local casinos, at the “man cave” or kicked back watching the “boob tube”.He adored his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren! He was preceded in death by his mother, Peggy DeLoise Moore Reeder Carrier, father Charles Richard Reeder, and step dad “Pappa Willie” Carrier.

He is survived by his brother, Harold Reeder and family of Pauls Valley, step sister, Phyllis Drake and family of Farmington, New Mexico. He is missed dearly by his wife, Peggy Ann Reeder of Sulphur; daughter, Jamie Thomas of Los Lunas NM; step son Robert Shook and Kristine of Los Lunas NM, stepsons, Mickey Deffenbaugh and Tiffany of Sulphur and Tod Deffenbaugh of OKC; grandkids, Lane Deffenbaugh of Sulphur, Felisha and Jamison Sims of Sherman, TX, Corie and Zac Hernandez of Sulphur, Stephen Wood of Los Lunas NM, Kaitlen Wood of Los Lunas NM, Hanna and Brendon Proffit of Albuquerque, NM, and the apples of his eyes, his great grandkids, Jakupson, Breanna, Hadon and Aaron; as well as a slew of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other kinfolk.