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James Redden Obituary
09/07/1951 - 03/09/2024
James Edward "Eddie" Redden, 72, writer, journalist and companion of love and charity for his family and friends, died March 9, 2024, in Houston, Texas, as a result of complications from Covid and pneumonia. He owned and operated Houston-based Point Blank Communications, which specializes in complex stories, communications and marketing services for upstream oil and gas companies.
A native of Beckley, West Virginia, Jim held a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Marshall University. His first newspaper job after graduation was as a reporter for the Ironton (OH) Tribune. After that, he was an award-winning reporter and Boca Raton bureau chief for the Fort Lauderdale (FL) Sun Sentinel and a senior staff writer for the Amarillo (TX) Globe-Times, where he developed his expertise and skills as an oil and gas journalist.
Jim left Amarillo for Houston to work for Hughes Christensen, a division of Baker Hughes, as a senior writer reporting on the oil and gas industry. From there, he served in a senior communications supervisory role for M-I Swaco, travelling throughout the world reporting on and writing about the oil and gas industry.
In 2008, Jim launched Point Blank Communications, reporting and writing about the oil and gas industry for a variety of magazines and publications. He was a contributing editor and writer for such publications as World Oil, Offshore Magazine, American Oil & Gas Reporter, Petroleum News, and Hart Energy E&P, among others.
Jim was known for his "aw-shucks" style, ever-present sense of wry humor, his ability to regale a room with his compelling storytelling, his passion for college (Longhorns) and pro (Houston Texans) football, his expertise for throwing some ribs on the grill, his joy in the Southern rock soundtrack that underscored the rhythm of his life, and an unwavering commitment to values-based journalism, freedom of the press and the public's right to know about their government, their institutions and their public servants. First and foremost he was a writer, a master storyteller, a keen observer, and he believed all of us are responsible for advancing the common good for the benefit of everyone.
Jim is survived by his wife, Karen Laufman Redden; his stepsons, Riley Crane and Casey Crane; brother, Edsel Redden; brother, Gary Redden and wife Lori Redden and children, Parker and Paxton. He is preceded in death by his sister, Sharon Buskus; his father, Lloyd Redden; and his mother, Geneva Redden.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the National Press Club Journalism Institute, online: https://shorturl.at/joqtx and select "I'd like to dedicate this gift" box and enter Jim Redden in the space provided.
Memorial service is pending.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Redden
3 Entries
Don Francis
April 30, 2024
Jim Redden had enough charisma for two people.
Which was a good thing. He was two people.
Jim´s outward persona as a rough-around-the-edges, hard-living, football-loving, oilfield good ole boy was charming and entertaining. Jim was easy to befriend and fun to be around. Although his capacity for enjoying a good time exceeded that of most of us, his always upbeat temperament was a magnetic attraction.
But, as brightly colored as it was, Jim´s outward side was mostly a container for the real Jim-a perspicacious observer who wrote elegantly-and persuasively, when the assignment called for it-about many highly technical subjects. Inner Jim was a remarkable talent lurking below a bumpy surface; a sort of technical writing Batman who appeared when the spotlight was turned on.
His powers of observation also gave Jim a keen eye for the ridiculous, and he was always eager to point out with glee his frequent encounters with it. Jim´s default reaction was a caustic comment expressed through a face-distorting combination of eye-roll and ear-to-ear grin.
Another of Jim´s most endearing qualities was the way his anger, rare and always slow to arouse, would quickly dissipate. More than anything else, Jim wanted to know things, and he had little patience with anything that interfered with that pursuit.
In an age when much is asserted without connection to facts, a conversation with Jim produced a sense that you better know what you´re talking about, because he was listening carefully. If you had an opinion, he was a good place to audition it.
The two Jims combined to create a complex and unforgettable character. It´s an honor to have been thought of as a friend.
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Greg Rohloff
March 29, 2024
Karen,
I worked with Jim in Amarillo, sharing the highs and lows of working in a place that wasn't exactly home. When he landed his first job in Houston, I helped him pack up and rode with him as far as Austin where we went to Barton Springs and the Texas Chili Parlor. The next morning, a friend that worked at the Capitol lined me up a ride to the airport as Jim finished the trip to Houston.
Greg Rohloff
Roy Markum
March 27, 2024
Karen,
So sorry to hear of Jim's passing. My thoughts are with you and your family. Jim was a good friend and business associate for many years and I always had the upmost respect for his ability. He was a unique individual and he will be missed.
Roy Markum
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