James M Reed

James Monroe Reed was born December 4, 1927 in Catawba County, he was the son of the late Henry S. Reed and Pauline McRee. Jim was a member of West Hickory Baptist Church in Hickory, NC but attended Bethel Lutheran Church in Claremont, NC. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and worked his way up to Seaman 1st class. Jim served our country proud having served in the Pacific . After his time in the U.S. Navy, Jim settled down in Newton and met his best friend and soul mate Ruby Pope. Jim and Ruby met at The Hilltop Skating Rink and spent 63 beautiful years together as husband and wife. They were blessed with 2 girls that were indeed “daddy’s Girl’s”. Jim loved spending time with them and even taught them to fish and hunt. Jim was famous for his one liners and always kept folks around him happy and full of laughter. Jim had a very special gift of building furniture and shared his gift with many through Jim’s Hobby Shop. Jim had a very giving heart and would give you the shirt off his back if needed. Jim spent many years bowling and served on many leagues and even tried to “coach” his daughters to throw a straight ball. He loved to fish, hunt and play golf as well. Jim was a very special man that touched many lives in his 87 years, Jim was greatly loved but he also returned that love. He later retired from Sherrill Furniture as a supervisor.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his twin sister, Sue Reed; and brother, Bob Reed.

Left to relish so many memories and stories are his wife, Ruby; daughters, Karen Reed, Kim Williams and husband, Eric, both of Newton; sisters, Marjorie Barkley of Hickory, NC, Margaret Spencer of Granite Falls, NC, Wanda Childers of Connelly Springs, NC; brothers, Edwin Reed of Taylorsville, NC, Dean Reed of Longview, NC; four grandchildren Michelle Shope of Newton, April Byles her husband Scot of Newton, Emily Williams of Newton and Owen Williams of Newton; one great grandchild Nicholas Byles of Newton.

A Service of Remembrance will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 19, 2015 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Claremont with Rev. Eric Hollar officiating. A graveside service with Naval military honors will be held at the church cemetery following the service.

The family will receive friends at the church prior to the service from 3:00 p.m. until 3:45 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Catawba Regional Hospice, 3975 Robinson Rd., Newton, NC 28658. Condolences may be sent to the Reed family at www.drumfh-conover.com.