Jim "Big Jim" Reed

Jim "Big Jim" Reed was born in Slaton, TX on January 23, 1934 to Ragan Thomas Reed & Mary Areta Parish – the youngest of six children. He stepped into the arms of Jesus on May 31, 2024.
After the Depression his dad moved Jim and his sister Carla to Pine Bluff, Arkansas. He was a Pine Bluff Zebra and played on football and basketball teams that won state championships his senior year. He was picked the No. 1 player in the state of Arkansas and recruited by 19 colleges. He chose Texas Tech University to be closer to his family.
While at Tech he played on the Red Raider Basketball team from 1952-1956. During that time he broke many records on the court, including career points, rebounds in a single game, rebounds in a season, and field goals in a single game. Two of these records still stand today. In 1956 he was selected as a Helms Foundation All-American. He was also inducted into Texas Tech's Hall of Fame in 1967, and was inducted as a charter member of the Tech Basketball Ring of Honor in 2019.
After college, Jim was drafted by the St. Louis Hawks but opted to play for the Phillips 66ers in the National Industrial League and start a career with Phillips Petroleum. He bought a Phillips Distributorship in Brownfield and ran it for 35 years. He also served two terms on the Brownfield City Council, served on the Museum Board, was Director of the Chamber of Commerce, and worked with Goodfellows for several years.
Jim met Carolyn Griffith in Brownfield, TX while working for his brother during the summer between semesters at Tech. They eloped to Clovis, NM on April 2, 1955. Carolyn passed on April 21, 2001. They have three daughters – Lana Snodgrass (Dub) of Lubbock TX, Terri Faught (Dickie) of Wolfforth, TX and Machelle Reed, who passed on October 23, 1997.
He was blessed with four grandchildren – Dustin Faught (Sterling), Ashlee Snodgrass, Derek Faught (Bailey) and Cortnee Snodgrass. He also was blessed with six great-grandchildren – Seth Perez, Hudson Faught, Grayden Faught, Kamdyn Faught, Kasynn Faught and Tatum Faught.
Jim married Jean Harvey on March 26, 2005 and inherited four bonus children – April Morehead (Jerry), Jan Bailey (Jeff), Cary Harvey (Jacqui), and Leigh Lewis (Dan). He also inherited five bonus grandchildren – Brooke McQuagge (Ryan), Brianna Kaehn (Austin), Justin Harvey (Maribel), Ryan Lewis and Libby Lewis and six bonus great-grandchildren Elliott McQuagge, Finley McQuagge, Ziggy Harvey, Grant Harvey, Landry Kaehn, and Elia Kaehn.
Jim loved camping, hunting, fishing and golfing. He was serious about following family sports events all over the state of Texas, whether it was his son-in-law's team or grandchildren or more recently, great-grandchildren.
Jim was a gentleman, supporter, defender, mentor, friend, and a man of faith and integrity. And yes, he was a great athlete. But most of all he would want to be remembered for being a great husband, father, and Big Jim to his grandkids and great-grandkids.
A very special thank you to the wonderful nursing staff at Brownfield Regional Medical Center and Interim Hospice, who cared for Jim like he was one of their own. They made a huge difference in his last days.
A memorial service will take place at First Baptist Church, Brownfield on Wednesday, June 5th at 2:00.
If you wish to make a donation in his memory, he requested that those go to the Double T Varsity Club at Texas Tech University 2508 6th St., Lubbock TX 79409.
RED RAIDER FOR LIFE! Guns Up!
To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of
Jim "Big Jim" Reed, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.