REESE, James Lee (WD5IYT)

1964 - 2014

James Lee Reese, 50, of Austin, TX, passed away peacefully February 27, 2014, at home surrounded by family. He was born January 20, 1964 in Lubbock, TX. Jim was a life-long amateur radio operator who worked as an engineer for a local radio station during high school in Nacogdoches, TX. He attended the University of Texas at Austin to study electrical engineering and worked for a number of radio stations in his career, culminating in a dream job at FlexRadio Systems working on cutting edge radio equipment. He was a self-motivated learner and voracious reader interested in politics, economics, and history. He believed in social justice and that ALL men and women are created equal. He loved time with his family and friends, music, and travel. He was a founding director and pivotal leader of the Armadillo Intertie Inc statewide emergency communications network. Jim is survived by his wife of 16 years, Jennifer; daughters Audrey and Jamie; sister Sallie Reese Goach, her husband Ken, and their sons Trey and Andrew of Pflugerville, TX; cousin Tobin Wells of Lufkin, TX; and friends too numerous to list. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Verdo Reese and Shirley Martin Reese. The family would like to thank Dr. Laurence Tokaz and the staff at Texas Oncology; employer FlexRadio Systems; families and faculties at The Girls School of Austin and ACE Academy; and family and friends who were so supportive during Jim's battle with cancer. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to www.thegirlsschool.org or www.austingifted.org. In keeping with Jim's wishes, no funeral will be held - he hated the things. He would prefer people remember him as he was and the difference he made in their lives.