Family Values Reese was born to Darrell and Jeanette. He is fourth in a line of fi ve children:
Rod, Terre, Max, Jim and Ken. He recalls a fulfi lling and hard working childhood on the farm with his family. Everyone pitched in to help. His mother would bring meals to the fi eld during harvest. The kids, and later their families, took shifts to run multiple tractors around the clock. His dad worked diligently en- suring the dairy operation was running smoothly and tending to wheat, alfalfa and grain crops to feed the cattle. Reese’s greatest lesson on the farm was learning he could do anything as long as he had determination, drive and creativity. “We didn’t have a mechanical background, but we were not afraid to tear things
apart and learn how to put them together,” Reese said, recalling his childhood. “My dad could fi x or build anything. When things were broken or we needed to build something, we would take care of it ourselves. Initiative and inquiring minds can go a long way.” He remembers his father visiting neighboring farms to learn their best practices and applying them at his own operation. Reese attended Deer Creek-Lamont High School, Northern Oklahoma College where he studied drafting and design, and Oklahoma State University where he earned a degree in engineering technology. He continued to farm while going to school. Because of his love for farming, he turned down an opportunity to work for an engineering company in Houston, Texas. Instead, to stay close to his family farm, Reese’s fi rst job out of college was at Ramsey Construction in Blackwell. For the next fi ve years he would work full time but take a break in the summer for the wheat harvest. The 1980s marked a meaningful decade for Reese. In 1985, he married his wife of 30 years, Margaret. A year later, his family received a call from a local educator asking if someone in the family would be willing to run for the legislature. “At that time, I read the newspaper every day. I decided to run for the House
of Representatives because I didn’t have a good impression of the legislature, and I thought I could make a difference,” he said. That same year, 1986, Reese and Margaret found out they were expecting their
fi rst child, Joanna. In fact, Reese made a special announcement on some of his campaign signs, stating: “It’s a girl!” The couple was blessed with four kids: Joanna, Drew, Lainey and Spencer. Most recently they are proud grandparents of twin grandchildren, Rhett and Ellis.
Farmer and Legislator Reese was elected as representative in 1987, serving agriculture-based counties:
Kay, Grant and Alfalfa. He served from 1987 to 2001 and thoroughly enjoyed it.
“I loved that time,” he said with a deep smile. “The greatest aspect was helping people. State government impacts people’s lives and there are many opportuni- ties to intervene and assist in both small and big ways. It’s very much a service opportunity.”
As representative, Reese advocated for agriculture programs and initiatives to further economic development in rural Oklahoma. His goals were to enhance and increase resources for rural economies. “While the process often seems divisive and messy, most people are trying to do their best to benefi t the state in their own way; they all care about the people they represent,” Reese said. A friend of many, Reese enjoyed connecting with fellow legislators. One par- ticular friend, now Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett, served with Reese for eight years in the legislature. Hiett credits Reese for encouraging him to serve.
“Jim was among the fi rst to contact me about seeking election. I still like to tease him about lying about how easy and glorious service in the legislature would be. I was operating a family dairy at the time. Jim assured me it was pos- sible to do both. Maybe for someone with Jim’s energy and stamina, but not for
Reese shows a community garden to international guests. Photo courtesy
Reese is the proud grandpa of twins, Rhett and Ellis.
OUR GRAND LAND
Rank Among States and Percentage of U.S. Total, Select Commodities, 2014
2 3 5 6 9
Rye and Canola Sorghum, Grains All Hay, Cattle & Calves Pecans Hogs
$8 BILLION
worth of agricultural products in livestock and crops were created in Oklahoma in 2014
FEBRUARY 2016
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