James Arnold “Jim” Reese

James Arnold “Jim” Reese, 98, of Wortham, passed away Sept. 25, 2024, in Mexia.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Wortham Methodist Church with the Rev. Steve Fieldcamp officiating. Interment with Masonic Rites will follow in the Wortham Cemetery. Travis Brown, David Reese, Keith Fleming, Brandon Fleming, Robin Martinez, and Martin Gamez will serve as pallbearers. Visitation with the family will be 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, at Blair-Stubbs Funeral Home.

Jim was born Nov. 17, 1925, in Palestine, to Bennie Jordan and Wilma Doris Butler Reese. Due to his dad’s job with Gulf Oil, the family moved to Wortham in 1935. After graduating from Wortham High School, he entered Texas A&M only to be drafted into the U.S. Air Force after his 18th birthday in 1943. While serving, Jim worked on the P38 fighter aircraft; he was discharged in March 1946. He soon returned to college and completed his bachelor’s degree in Math at the University of Houston.

Although Jim retired from the Mexia State School after 20 years of service as plant engineer, he didn’t quit working. He spent more time ranching and in real estate investments. One of Jim’s goals and treasured accomplishments was to help people by buying houses to remodel to make more affordable, decent homes.

Jim had a friendly, outgoing personality and a big, caring heart. His life exemplified his love for God, family, and others. Jim loved his family and enjoyed nothing more than spending time with them, especially the grand and great grandchildren. He also looked forward to the family reunions that were held in deep East Texas.

Jim was active in the Wortham community. He was a longtime active member of the Wortham Methodist Church and a 70-year member of the Longbotham Masonic Lodge. His other interests included traveling, music, and he really enjoyed dancing of any kind.

Jim believed that “life should not be taken for granted; it requires hard work, sacrifice, and always do things in moderation; don’t live on the edge”. He was blessed with a long, fulfilled life.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bennie and Wilma “Toto” Reese; and sister, Mildred Beaver and husband Billy.

Jim is survived by his wife, Carol Reese; son, Benjamin Reese and wife Valerie of Houston and granddaughter, Natalie Reese Brown and husband Travis, and great -grandchildren, Finley, Bryce and Walker Brown of Katy; granddaughter, Sarah Reese of Austin; grandson, David Reese and wife Mikaela and great-grandchild, Palmer Reese of Chappell Hill. Also, surviving are daughter, Amy Fleming and husband Monte, and grandson, Keith Fleming and wife Jillian, and great-grandchildren, Jeffery and Haylee Fleming of Wortham; and grandson, Brandon Fleming and wife Staci, and great grandchildren, Reese and Rilynn Fleming. Surviving are Carol’s children, daughter, Christine Evans and husband David, of Wortham and two children and three grandchildren; daughter, Cindy Brazell and husband Kevin Harris of Wortham and four children and five grandchildren; son, Carl Brazell III and wife, Elise, of San Jose, Calif., and three children and four grandchildren.

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