Joe Reel, Jr., 36, died Friday, April 6, 2007 at his residence. Visitation is 5-8 p.m. today and after 10 a.m. Wednesday at Lakewood Funeral Home. Services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday in the funeral home chapel with burial to follow in Lakewood Memorial Park.
Joe was born in Hawaii and raised in Jackson. He attended Forest Hill High School where he played trombone in the band until his graduation in 1989. He attended Hinds Community College where he majored in the sciences and arts. He was accepted to Berkley, however, he chose to pursue other local interest and focus on his goals as an author and work in the family business as a paint contractor. He was an avid musician. He was an exceptional bass player, playing in bands in the Jackson area. He was an avid historian. He wrote and had a book published in 2005, "Blood on the Tobacco Fields". Joe had written 5 other books that were in the process of being reviewed in order to be published. He loved martial arts and was actively involved in it. His love of baseball inspired him to be a dedicated collector of rare and valuable baseball memorabilia. He had a vast knowledge of the game and events in baseball history.
He attended the First United Methodist Church in Brandon. He was a loving father to Shannon who he lovingly referred to as "my heart beat" and "the apple of my eye". He will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved him.
Joe is survived by his wife, Sherry Reel and his daughter, Shannon Reel, both of Brandon; his parents, Joe and Glynda Reel, Sr. of Jackson and Wanda & Jimmy Reed of Brandon; his grandmother, Lavonne Frazier of Brandon; five brothers, Earl Burnley Reel of Jackson, Scott Reed and wife, Chasity, of Brandon, Benjamin Reed and wife, Kreissa, of Pearl, Jimmy "Jimbo" Reed, Jr., and wife, Roxanne, of Puckett, and Dan Hood of Jackson; and three sisters, Kimberly Gordon and husband, Tristan, of Brandon, Deana Hood of Byram, and Beth Martin and husband, Craig, of Puckett and a host of extended family.
Memorials may be made to the Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, Mississippi 39216.
Robert Touchstone
It's been a little over a year now that he passed and the day I read the obituaries and saw his name I was sadden that he was gone. Joe was a VERY TALENTED writer of BOOKS and MUSIC, and He actually had a couple of BOOKS published. One that I can recall is BLOOD IN THE TOBACCO FIELDS, Like me he didn't hang in the typical clicks in school more in the outcast crowd. But let him get a Bass guitar or pencil and pad in hand and he worked his talent to the fullest and was a whole different person outside of school. He was a great friend and someone that would listen and would not judge based on thoughts,views,or actions. He will be missed. RIP JOEDavid Akin
I felt like it wouldn't be right without taking a few moments to say something about Joe. I workout at the gym with Joe's cousin and found out several months back about Joe's death. I couldn't believe it. I seems like only last year although, it was at least six years ago when I put Joe in touch with my Uncle Bruce, with Oxmoor House. I hate that my uncle couldn't help him out more but, it's good to know he was published. His book, being about two brothers in the Civil War, sounded interesting. I remember Joe could do anything he set his mind to! We played in a garage band for a little while, back in 1992, and man could he play that bass! Joe was also a master in Jiu-Jitsu. Like Robert said, Joe was someone who would not judge, just be a friend. His death makes me think about my own mortality, you see my dad had Cancer at his and our age. Like the new Nickelback song ,"If today was your last day", check it out. God bless you Joe, we'll keep you in our hearts and minds.