Jimney Nicholas Reed

Memories of Jimmy

When I was about five and Jimmy was about 12, the Missouri River flooded and most of Dad’s truck was in the flood. Either the 48 or 49 Dodge truck had to have the engine replaced. Dad bought a new short block engine. Jimmy rigged up a hoist in the tree in the back yard. He pulled the engine and took off the head. Hand ground the valves on the old head and put the old head on the new engine. Then he put the new and rebuilt engine back in that truck. Can you hardly believe he was that great of a mechanic at 12 years old?

Jimmy loved football and played for Northeast HS, Baldwin University, and CMSC. While at CMSC, he set a record in weight lifting on the bench press. He went on and played semi–pro ball for the Bigger Jigger. He was very health conscious and weight lifted in HS and many years to come. He had a perfect body and entered some KC contests. He looked like Hercules and did every dive possible off the low and high diving boards.

Jimmy did a lot of volunteer work for the KC Junior Chamber of Commerce and Shriners. He took on major truck repairs like rebuilding engines, transmissions and rear ends. He would build and transfer large truck beds. He would work well into the night on these projects never looking at the clock.

Jimmy was in the Navy and traveled overseas to countries like Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, Norway and other nearby countries while in foreign ports.

He achieved a lot and was a very hard act to follow, since he was so great at everything.

He took over Dad’s trucking business and ran it for several years. Later he ended up being the care giver for Dad, Helen and Elda.