A visitation for James will be held Friday, May 3, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM at Miller-Jones Menifee Memorial Park and Mortuary, 26770 Murrieta Rd., Menifee, CA 92585. A funeral service will occur Friday, May 3, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, 26770 Murrieta Rd., Menifee, CA 92585. A graveside service will occur Friday, May 3, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM, 26770 Murrieta Rd., Menifee, CA 92585.
James Earl Reeder Sr (Butch) aka Songbird. was born in Fort Bragg (Now known as Fort Liberty), North Carolina on October 23rd, 1956. He was the second child (of four) born to Sgt. Robert Roosevelt Reeder and Ora Lee Reeder (Hennigen). He was a shy, thin child who loved music, enjoyed spending time with his siblings and reading the bible. At the young age of 4 years old James faced adversity and had to have open heart surgery to correct a heart murmur. Although born in North Carolina, James grew up in Philadelphia, PA, attended Olney Charter High School and began his lifelong dedication of being a Philadelphia Eagles fan.
In 1972, James signed up for Job Corps career training program where he studied music and cooking. In the coming years, he moved between Philadelphia and South Carolina, where he would later meet his future wife Mrs. Eva Reeder and daughter Norena Welcome-Goins in 1977. James and Eva married on February 6th, 1978, and begin their future together. One year later, on March 24th, 1979, they welcomed their first son James Earl Reeder Jr. into the world. Shortly after, the newlyweds moved their family to California to start a new life.
In his early years in California, James had various jobs including working at HITCO making airplane seat covers, Purolator armored trucks, Yellow Cab, and Security Pacific as a bank guard. During this time his second son Gregory Warren Reeder (1983) and youngest child Marco Antwion Reeder (1985) were born. James made sure he provided for his family and always wanted to make more money, which led him to go to Superior Trucking Company, where he received his Class A driver’s license with all endorsements; allowing him to operate any commercial vehicle. James took a liking to driving trucks and began his truck driving career with Baxter Healthcare in 1989.
In 1991, Seeking a better lifestyle and opportunity for their children, James and Eva decided to move the family to Moreno Valley CA. In 1996, James found his career home with USF Reddaway (formerly known as USF Bestway), where his son Gregory would later follow in his truck driving footsteps. In this same year, James welcomed Troy Marco Welcome Jr., the first of his 13 grandchildren. James always had a passion for singing and in 2001 he auditioned and joined the group Sly Slick & Wicked, who had a major hit record with the song “Confessin’ a Feeling”.
In 2005, James and Eva purchased their second home and relocated to Perris CA. No stranger to adversity, James was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2007 and later successfully beat the disease. For many years James continued to drive trucks and was finally able to retire from USF Reddaway in 2014, so he could spend countless time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. James continued to face various health issues throughout the coming years, but never let it stop him from singing, traveling to Las Vegas, visiting his favorite amusement park Knotts Berry Farm, and showing off that infectious laugh of his. While hospitalized, James welcomed his first great grandchild into the world on March 12th, 2024. Shortly after James was diagnosed with lung cancer and on April 15th, 2024, at the age of 67, James took his last breath with his wife and family by his side.
James is preceded in death by his father Sgt. Robert Roosevelt Reeder; Mother Ora Lee Reeder; brother Robert Roosevelt Reeder Jr, and son in-law Troy Marco Welcome Sr.
James is survived by his wife Eva James Reeder; children Norena Welcome-Goins (Kenny Goins), James Earl Reeder Jr, Gregory Warren Reeder (Kimberly Reeder), Marco Antwion Reeder (Felicia Reeder); Sister Jurilla Greene; Brother George W. Reeder; Grandchildren Troy Marco Welcome Jr., James Earl Reeder III, Kenae Tionne Goins, Jonah Sean Reeder, Anthony Ryon Reeder, Kenia Simone Goins, Semaj Robert Reeder, Maliyah Aubree Reeder, Sheldon Warren Reeder, Xavier Louis Reeder, Marc Anthony Reeder, Dominic Lorenzo Reeder and soon to be born Mylah Alaine Reeder; Great grandchild Jaire James Reeder. Along with a host of loving cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
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