James K. Reimer

James Karl Reimer, age 93, passed away on August 24, 2023, in Rockwall, Texas. Jim was born on July 22, 1930, in Dallas, Texas, to Frank Charles Reimer and Leona Myrtle (Luke) Reimer. Jim’s childhood was filled with school and doing chores around his family home in the southern part of Dallas, where they had an extensive vegetable garden and raised chickens and rabbits. Jim graduated from Crozier Tech High School, where he was awarded a solid gold pocket watch for being the best drilled cadet in ROTC. Jim spent time in the U.S. Naval Reserves and maintained that military precision throughout his lifetime.

Jim’s father was a blacksmith turned machinist and Jim helped him in his shop from a very young age. Jim followed in his dad’s footsteps, working as a machinist for 30 years at Texas Instruments where he made parts for machinery necessary in manufacturing silicon chips at the very beginning of the computer age. Jim even made parts for a rocket that went to Mars. After leaving T.I., Jim worked for various job shops in Garland, Wylie, and Sachse until he was finally forced to retire at age 78.

Jim’s mother had a strong spiritual influence on Jim in his childhood, but Jim’s father wouldn’t let them attend church, so Jim regularly snuck out of their home to attend First Assembly of God church at its original building at Peak and Garland in Dallas. Jim committed his heart to Christ when he was 13 years old and lived for the Lord the rest of his life, serving faithfully in the choir at First Assembly many years until he was no longer physically able to do so.

Jim was married to Carol Yvonne (Ditto) Reimer in 1950 when Jim was 20 years old and Carol had just turned 17 the day before their wedding. Throughout their lives, Carol said they were married “off and on” since 1950, because they divorced for a couple years after having their oldest son, Rusty, then got back together, remarried, and had 3 more children - Denise, Gina, and Troy. Jim and Carol were married until she died in 2018.

Jim and Carol were both gifted musicians, Carol playing the piano and Jim singing a rich baritone. Jim and Carol faithfully used their talents to bless many others in church at First Assembly of God in Dallas, as well as at weddings, baby dedications, funerals, and many other special occasions. Perhaps their greatest ministry was demonstrated in the countless times they visited people in hospitals, nursing homes, and shut-ins who couldn’t easily get out, sharing the gift of beautiful music, God’s word, and kindness to people who needed a special touch, thought, or prayer. Very often they would bring their kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids on these visits, passing down that empathy and compassion for others. Jim and Carol also instilled in their family the annual tradition of Christmas caroling for others, a tradition they began the year before they were married and continued to this day.

Jim loved to take his family hunting and fishing, his favorite thing to do was to fish the trout streams in the mountains of Colorado and New Mexico where he would say that it really doesn’t matter whether you catch anything, it’s just good to be out enjoying God’s creation. Jim would stash away money from his overtime pay all year long to provide a special vacation for the family each summer.

Jim was the strong and steady foundation for his family, providing a prime example of devotion to God and studying His word, dedication to family, and kindness and generosity to others. Jim will be greatly missed by many, but his legacy will continue well into the future.

James Reimer was preceded in death by: his wife, Carol Yvonne (Ditto) Reimer; son, Russell Eric Reimer; and son-in-law, Stonewall McSpadden. Also preceding Jim in death was: his father, Frank Charles Reimer; mother, Leona Myrtle (Luke) Reimer; sister, Leona Francis Ballard; sister, Mary Louise Sherrell; and brother, Roscoe Luke Hendrix.

Jim is survived by his children: Denise McSpadden of Garland, Texas; Gina Manis and her husband, Mike, of McLendon-Chisholm, Texas; Troy Reimer and his wife, Lisa, of Heath, Texas; and daughter-in-law, Kathy (Jordan) Reimer. Also surviving Jim are his grandchildren: Nicolas Todd Schubert and his wife, Hilary; James Ryan Schubert and his wife, Monica; James Richard Anderson; Ashlyn Courtney (Anderson) Gomez and her husband, David; Elisabeth Yvonne Brockman; Tristan Alan Reimer; Brendan Carl Reimer; and Landon Jacob Reimer. Also surviving Jim are his great-grandchildren: Eason David Gomez; Audren Judah Gomez; Hazel Schubert; Layla Brockman; Catherine (“Catie”) Schubert, Adeline (“Addie”) Schubert, Nick Schubert, and Evangeline (“Eve”) Schubert.

A visitation for James will be held Saturday, September 9, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Grove Hill Funeral Home, 3920 Samuell Blvd, Dallas, Texas 75228, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Grove-Hill.com for the Reimer family.