James Donald Reeder

James Reeder, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend was called by our Heavenly Father on March 6, 2009. He was born on Dec. 7, 1934.

He was a veteran of the United States Air Force, served in Vietnam as a flight engineer flying C-130 cargo planes over hostile territory. He flew more than12,000 hours during his career. He was st

ationed in such places as Japan, Okinawa, Korea, Philippines, Europe, Turkey, Libya, Chile and Afghanistan.

He was involved in combat rescue missions in Vietnam. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. He received Air Medals for having flown 440 combat missions. He was also involved in the helicopter flight around the world.
After serving in the Air Force, he was employed by Sears for 20 year before retiring in 1992. His retirement years were spent traveling with his wife and family. On the weekends you could find him at Thunderhill Raceway where his son James raced. He loved gardening, taking care of his animals and spending time with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, D.C. and Ila Reeder, and a brother, Kenneth Reeder.

He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years Margaret Reeder; daughter, Pam Galbreath; son, James Reeder, Jr., and wife, Susan; daughter, Debbie Vogel and husband, Bobby; brother, Thomas Reeder; sisters, Gay Anderson and Marilyn White of Andice; eight grandchildren: Carla Olivarez and husband, Cesar, D.C. Pannell, Krissy Reeder, Michelle Sanchez and husband, Six, Jamie Darity and husband, Tommy, and Tiffany, J.C. and Colton Vogel; and four great-grandchildren: Cameron Pannell and Aiden, Allison and Andrew Sanchez.

Family accepted friends beginning at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 9, 2009, at McCurdy Funeral Home. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10, 2009, at McCurdy Memorial Chapel in Lockhart with Rev. Gary Rodgers officiating.

Burial followed at Lockhart City Cemetery in Lockhart, Texas.

Serving as pallbearers were D.C. Pannell, J.C. Vogel, Colton Vogel, Tommy Darity, Donald Mack, Bobby Burgess, Len Galbreath and Brian Callaway. Honorary pallbearers were Alvin Hunka and Nelson Johnson.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to American Heart Association or American Diabetes.

Arrangements under the care and guidance of McCurdy Funeral Home, 105 E. Pecan, Lockhart, Texas, 78644. (512) 398-4791.