| Location | Robinson, Tx |
| Age | 54 years |
| Cause of Death | Accident |
| Date of Birth | 01/03/1955 |
| Date of Death | 06/05/2009 |
| Visitors | 1,796 since 08/05/2009 |
| Creator |
Please note that this is a UK site so the month/date portion of the birth and passing dates are
listed in reverse from USA.
It is with heavy hearts that we acknowledge the passing of our friend and colleague James Roger
Reed. A long-time and dear member of the VA family, James left an indelible impact on the VA.
James was tirelessly dedicated to the mission of the VA. A veteran of the U.S. Navy, he possessed
great empathy and compassion for the customers he served during his remarkable career, in which his
meteoric rise led him to become a VISN CIO. His loss will be felt across the entire VA
organization. James' VA family extends our deepest sympathies to his wife, Donna, and to the entire
Reed family whose loss is undoubtedly more profound than words can describe. We stand with them in
their grief to celebrate James' life.
James' remained a down-to-earth and self effacing man despite the great success he had during his VA
career. This, coupled with his gregarious, easy going demeanor and wry wit belied his razor sharp
intellect and shrewdness. A student of human nature, James, mastered the ability to genuinely
connect with people from all walks of life and with those who had very different viewpoints and
agendas. He could understand and validate the viewpoints of others and compare and contrast his own
almost instinctively. He was a masterful negotiator for this reason.
James was a complex man. He claimed to have two personas - one was for work and one was for all
other environments. He used to claim, jokingly, that his wife would not recognize his work persona
which was supposedly much more assertive and vocal. On behalf of his VA family, we regret not being
able to see James' out of work persona. However, we are confident we would have liked it as much as
we did his work persona. James deeply loved his family and it was evident in the many discussions we
had in the short 18 months I personally knew him. They were always the topic of conversation and
often shared numerous stories which warmed my heart. Our heart goes out to them for their loss. We
can’t even imagine their grief at their loss.
James was a lover of music, particularly Bluegrass. As an example, one time at the airport during a
trip together, he saw a passenger with a banjo case and he followed him until he stopped. They went
on to talk until he almost missed his flight – just conversing about banjos! His banjo playing
skill was virtuosic. He thoroughly enjoyed playing with his Rainey Creek Ramblers band mates. Given
between his career working in the "high tech" world of information technology or the "low tech"
world of playing banjo chords, I think he would have chosen music. I have no doubt somewhere,
somehow, he's plucking away on a tune right now. His band has a website at
http://raineycreekramblers.com. You can see James there in the right hand side doing what loved
most. Playing his banjo.
He often was the generator of humor in our small work team and spared no one as the target. His
demeanor was that of a nature that no one ever took it the wrong way. We all enjoyed his company and
often looked forward to meeting with him and looked forward to what we had in store. He provided
humorous nicknames for many which I’m sure will last a lifetime.
Upon being informed of his passing in an automobile accident, we have been in disbelief and many
times during the following days, tears of sadness prevailed. However, this is not the time for us to
grieve his death but it’s our time to celebrate his life, a modern-day Renaissance Man who had so
many varied and deep interests. He was a fascinating person to speak with. However, despite his
broad and deep knowledge and appreciation of so many things, it was clear to those that met him that
his most profound interest was with his family, with whom our thoughts and prayers will remain.
With that, we want to temporarily say good bye for now our dear and beloved friend. We hope you know
how you will be missed in this world but also please know that you made this world a little
friendlier and happier with those you touched. We hope we meet again some day.
Sincerely,
Manny Hernandez & Loren Behuniak
VHA OHI Service Coordination
We encourage those who visit who knew James to please "light a candle" with some words of
encouragement for the family or enter a tribute below. I'm sure it will mean a lot to his family
knowing how much he meant to many.
It will ask for you name and email but only to verify you and ensure that it is legit.
******* UPDATE ******** We have posted a video that James was involved in making with others at VA,
paying tribute to those who served. I hope it touches you as it did us.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tDv7uS88Hg
Thank you
We feel such loss over james' passing. What a tremendous emptiness for his family, friends, and community.
We appreciate the time and kindness that he shared with us and will be forever grateful for the example he set for our grandson Lucas
James was always ready and available to help Lucas improve his music- sometimes till the wee hours of the morning.
HE WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!
Dave and Carole Jenkins
Lucas White
Donna, Abby & Ryan,
I only met James briefly, but I could tell he was a good person, and I am saddened by your family’s loss. My prayers are with you, and I’ve added a few scriptures that I hope will bring you comfort:
Psalms 147:3 He heals the broken heartened, binding up their wounds.
Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those that mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Proverbs 3:6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble.
Co-worker,
T.L.Cox
I was so saddened and shocked to hear that James is no longer with us. I worked with James for such a short time considering how long he was with VA. He was very smart and funny and it was a pleasure to know him. I will miss him. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Thanks For Everything, Buddy
James, I never got the chance to express to you what a wonderful friend you have been to me so I will do it here. You were a solid rock in so many people's lives. Your funeral today was a fitting tribute to all of the great qualities you exhibited; being a loving husband and father; being a great friend; being an admirable and enjoyable member of your workplace; being a leader; being a servant to the safety and security of our country; being an enthusiastic instructor; and last, but not least, being a great musician. I feel very blessed to have had the time we shared together with our friends making music and your warm, endearing smile will always be with us when we think of you. Your family is strong and they will prevail over the tragedy of losing their beloved husband, brother, son and father. You have instilled a great fortitude in your children and it certainly showed today. James, thanks for everything. I won't worry for you any more as I know where you reside; in the loving embrace of our Heavenly Father. As our own time to leave this life draws nearer by the day, we will look forward to sitting down with you again as you offer that patented smile and get us started playing a wonderful new song that emanates the tempo of Eternity.
I’m so sorry that we’ve lost James. I also have fond memories of him. I had the privilege of working with him starting in 1986 at the VAMC in Murfreesboro, TN. It was the first IRM job for both of us. He helped me learn to program in MUMPS. I had to do a couple of $O commands this morning and thought of him. A couple of years after that he left us to work for the Indian Health Service and then returned to work with us again for a short while before moving on to his Dallas ISC job. While at the ISC he created my computer account on the nat’l FORUM computer using the nickname he called me, “Jenny”…so all these years every time I log in I see “Good morning, Jenny”, thanks to him. He enjoyed sharing stories of the band he played with in Ireland and how much he enjoyed eating piping hot fish wrapped in newspaper purchased from street vendors on those bitter cold Irish days. Good memories.
May God give strength and peace to carry James' family through this very sad time.
Dear Donna, Abby & Ryan,
Our hearts ache that you have to go through this ordeal. Please know that James loved you and was very proud of you. To all of his family and relatives, please know that we share in your sense of loss and pray for God’s blessings and comfort be given to you.
James was such a dear friend and a man who was incredibly kind to our family. He was so generous with his musical gifts and spent countless hours teaching and encouraging others who were learning to play instruments. Only the Lord knows how many people he taught to play instruments or how many instruments he gave away, but there are quite a few.
I don't believe there was any instrument he could not master. I will always cherish the memories of some special late nights at Pearl and times we spent playing around my kitchen table with our friends and families present. When the jams wore down and we ran out of songs to play James would often cut loose with “Now I’m so happy, no sorrow in sight, Praise the Lord, I saw the Light.”
With much Love, The Sherman Family (Ralph, Susan, Chelsea, Lloyd, Blake and Lyle)
Isaiah 55:12
I knew James Reed when I worked at the VA in Temple as a contractor for Xerox in 2001 to 2007. His white snowy beard would make him stand out in a group. I would pass him in the many corridors at the VA, he would always have a pleasant greeting to share, he is a true "Gentleman Jim".
He will be dearly missed!!
Rest in Peace - James!
From Charlie Burch & the "Branson on the Brazos" Music family; we are saddened by the loss of a music friend and are glad we had the opportunity to enjoy his musical talents as well as his kind and friendly personality.
May the Grace of God and peace that passes all understanding that only He can give be with family and friends of James Reed.
My dear friend, words cannot express the emptiness I personally feel at your departure. I will remember you until it is my time to see you again. I will always be longing to hear your cheerful voice on our morning calls and will be continually sadden at its absence. I would write forever if it were to bring you back but since it won't, all I want is to you to know how much you were loved. With a tearful heart - goodbye my beloved friend.
Thanx
HEY!!!!!
James was a treasured friend. We picked together many tmes at the Pearl Jam and I enjoyed his company, wit, and talent. I will miss him........
May our LORD bless his memory.
H
Create an ever lasting memorial for your loved ones.
Start here »
Using the options below you can add this memorial to your personal garden.
| I am James' ... | |
| Add to Garden: | |
| Notifications: | Text Message |
There have been 15 candles lit for James.
