Tributes to James Reed

"I loved my dad very much and all the memories of him are great, way too many to list. He most definitely molded me to the person I am today, and I'm very grateful and proud to say he was my father. He did a great job of raising me."

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Karl Reed, son

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"When someone passes, we seek to find comfort with friends and family that have been a significant part of our lives. So, it is with mixed emotion that we experience the joy of being with you all today while sharing our sadness and grief over the loss of Jim. Thank you all for being with us today and, more so, for being a part of Jim’s life. It means so much to us to be with those who knew and loved him as we did.

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We are also thankful to those who could not be here today but have reached out to our family with their thoughts and prayers. Frequently, we have heard Jim described as a genuinely kind man. Even acquaintances who may have met him only a few times recognized that quality in him. For someone who is so often remembered for his kindness, it is ironic that we called him, “Grinch.” It was a nickname that he liked and encouraged.

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As kids, we believed that Jim liked “Grinch” because he was grouchy and gruff. But we soon recognized that we were mistaken. Jim simply could not hide his big heart, especially the love he had for our mother. You also saw that big heart whenever he was with the grandkids and the great grandkids – his heart grew every time he was around them.   

    

He loved family and being with family. He shared his love for the outdoors with us taking us camping, fishing and hunting, and hosting family cookouts. Summers oftentimes were spent at the lake grilling at Brown’s Ravine – our favorite spot overlooked the boat ramp where he and his brother Gene watched and laughed at the “amateurs” trying to back their trailers down that excessively long boat ramp with little success. And there are so many other fond memories:

• Going on “dates” with the granddaughters.

• Getting airborne with the kids riding in the back of his silver Ford F150 4x4.

• Walking Courtney down the aisle at her wedding.

• Fly-in fishing trips to Canada with Karl, Uncle Tom, Sam, Jake, and Ross.

• Sitting with family and friends around the kitchen table playing Uno.

• And watching the kids participate in their sports, baton, or other activities.

 

As you all know, Jim was a man of many talents: Artist, handyman, grill master/chef. Some might say fisherman, but he seemed to like the fishing more than the catching. He was an accomplished woodworker making everything from alligator pull toys, town cars, and bassinets for the kids to intricate puzzles, ornaments, and artwork. He sponsored his own championship bowling team that won several tournaments and league titles. He even won a chili cookoff while vacationing in Arizona.

 

He was the Swiss Army Knife personified -- he had that knack for being who, or what, you needed when you needed it. For our mother, he was a “knight in shining armor” which she truly deserved. He comforted and protected her and loved her dearly, which is more than us kids could have ever hoped for. He was a mentor and a counselor. He was a good listener despite having only one good ear. He would offer his opinion if you asked for it, but he refrained from being overbearing or judgmental. He was supportive and eager to help whenever the need arose. He volunteered his time and services freely, even if he had to drive thousands of miles to do so. He was a stable and constant presence that you could always count on. And, of course, he was kind.

 

In closing, I offer a sentiment from Dr. Seuss that reflects what I think Jim would say to us if he were here today: "Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." ~ Dr. Seuss

 

We love you, Jim. You have given us so much to smile about and you will be forever in our hearts. God Bless."

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Tim Masterson, stepson

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"From a very young age I remember just sitting and talking with Papa. Not only learning about his life but just simply sitting with him and enjoying his company. 

There was a time when I asked him if I could call him something other than Papa and he said I can call him whatever I want, just not late for dinner.  He liked to say he was grumpy like the Grinch, but he was so funny and loving.

During a difficult period in my childhood, he once told me that he would be there for me no matter what, and boy did he mean it. He and grandma were there for me for so many life events and I’m so thankful: talent shows and baton competitions,  graduations from elementary school to law school and everything in between, Sunday dinners at their house, they came to the hospital for the birth of Porter (covid rules prevented them from visiting immediately with Murphy), and many visits during maternity leave with both.  We had camping trips growing up, playing uno in the motor home. We used to have “dates” and we went for ice cream and bowling.  I cherish so much of his woodwork: a piggy bank for Porter, a shelf for Murphy, a penguin for Ray, a jewelry box and hope chest for me, and a picnic table that we made together.

When grandma and grandpa took in Mash for me, I knew it was a perfect match. Mash loved sitting in Papa’s lap and Papa loved the friendship he brought.

Once when I was in high school, or maybe middle school, I can’t remember when but I was young and definitely had no future husband prospects, I asked him if he would walk me down the aisle at my wedding and without hesitation he agreed and added “even if you have to walk me.” And he kept his promise and not only did he walk me down the aisle but he was my dance partner as well.

I love him so dearly, and it’s hard to believe that he is gone."

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Courtney L. Aldrich, granddaughter

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"I will forever be grateful that Jim and Mom were married for almost 50 years. He was the man she needed and deserved. Jim was the perfect grandfather to my girls. He was generous with his time, often traveling with Mom to out of the way places, such as Lakeview, Oregon, and his craft. My favorites were the alligator pull toys and bassinet he made for the kids. But everything he produced was lovely. I’ll always remember how he kept at his craft until well into his 80s, and the intricate pieces he continued to make."

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Lance Masterson, stepson

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"Jim and my mom married when I was 19.  My biological father was never consistently or actively involved in our lives so it had been mom and the four of us for years. Needless to say the dynamic changed abruptly when Jim moved into our house and had authority. Even though we were all pleased that mom had someone, it took time to adjust. Eventually Jim earned the nickname Grinch (which he embraced) and we all learned to get along. Along with Jim came bonus grandparents which treated us as their own immediately and shared great stories about the good old days. The close family friends that we always called Aunt Dodie and Uncle Gene were part of our new family, such an easy transition.

 

When I sat down to write this I really struggled to come up with specific stories. Instead I think of the little things that defined Jim. He always worked hard. Painted interior and exterior all week then did side jobs on the weekends. In addition he had an upholstery business, then after he retired he started selling his wood toys and decorative items. He had a really good memory for dates and events and if you questioned him he had a little book where he had written it down. The fact that he felt that the more a food made you sweat the better it was – he had a designated cast iron pan he used to make his personal hot sauce. Dogs loved him and he loved them; this sentiment did not extend to all four legged pets. He enjoyed checking out classic cars, bowling, the Green Bay Packers, fishing and camping. For his birthday he always requested pineapple upside down cake made in a cast iron pan like his mom used to make. He liked to bake pies and eat homemade lasagna. Simple pleasures for a man that could be somewhat complex.

 

Jim never pressed his opinions. If he judged me harshly, I was not aware. He did not tell me how to live my life, or trade his affection in exchange for acting or thinking in a way that made him comfortable or met his perception of the world.  But he was always there and available.  He was the only grandfather and great-grandfather, on our family line, that my nieces and nephews knew.  He was present for holidays, birthdays, sporting events and deaths. We could always count on Jim to be there.

 

He was my father by choice and I will miss him.

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Mary Peters, stepdaughter

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"As I was laying in my bed thinking of all the memories I have of this wonderful, kind man, I realize that there are so many that I can't just pick one or two. 

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Whether it was summer barbecues, birthday celebrations or holidays, we were making memories that I will forever cherish. 

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Thanksgiving was the best holiday because I would always ask him if I could pass him some turkey, and he would politely say, "No, thank you." Everybody knew he hated turkey. I still find it ironic that most times he cooked and carved the bird!

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Whenever I would visit him in the hospital, I would ask how he was doing and if they brought him some of his favorite flavor of Jello yet. He would just frown and say no. Not that he wouldn't eat it anyway!

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I remember there were many times he would come by my office and say, "Let's go get a cup of coffee, just the two of us." The man never said no to a cup of coffee, or a glass of wine, for that matter.

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I have to say that the memory that came to me while writing this has to be one of my all-time favorites:

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When Kayla was in Mrs. Coughlin's first grade class at Blanche Sprentz Elementary (across the street from the house), he had the garage door open, most likely working on a wood project. At some point he heard someone yelling, "Hi, Papa!" and when he looked over there he saw Kayla and all of her classmates lined up, waving to him. I think he loved that because he talked about it for many years. 

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I have always felt so blessed to have been given such a great father-in-law. He embraced me like a daughter from the minute I met him on Thanksgiving in 1980, and I will miss him every day."

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Terri Masterson, daughter-in-law

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"When I reflect on my memories of time spent with Grandpa, the word 'kind' comes to my mind more than any other. It perhaps sounds trite to call him kind, but as our world seems to splinter at every possible seam, I think kindness goes further than we give it credit for. 

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As a grandfather, he was always ready with a smile. I loved the toys he made me as a child, and as an adolescent, I was thrilled to receive the hope chest he made for me, which is still a treasured heirloom to this day. I remember adventures in his camper van, his hearty laugh, and his warm hugs. 

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In retrospect, 'kind' is something he didn't have to be: he worked tirelessly all his life, and he had seen his share of hardships. So it is his kindness, his essential goodness, that I will hold in my heart when I think and speak of Grandpa Reed."

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Jessica Masterson, granddaughter

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"My father-in-law Jim was a kind, loving, gentle man. He loved Pat & his whole family.  He called me 'dear' whenever he saw me and that always melted my heart! I loved being with him. He was just so happy and content.

 

I could picture him as a young man in the Air Force through all the interesting stories he told. One of his main jobs was as a parachute packer.  He said he always made sure he packed his own parachute trusting himself the most! He had so many stories to share about all the countries he was stationed in. He said his favorite was Formosa (Taiwan).

 

He made the best (spicy) chili & hot sauce and a fabulous pineapple upside down cake! I can picture Jim at many park picnics as he grilled the most delicious food. He loved to cook for a crowd.

 

I am blessed to have had him in my life and will forever miss him."

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Leslie Masterson, daughter-in-law