Obit.Cherokee County,OK REEDER, Thomas Jefferson
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From the Medford,(OR) Mail Tribune 01-10-2007 at www.mailtribune.com
 
Photo included
 
Thomas Jefferson Reeder was born the second son of Harmon S. Reeder and 
Ruth Smets Reeder at Fort Gibson, Oklahoma on March 2, 1925. The family moved 
shortly thereafter to Tahlequah, Oklahoma, where Tom spent his youth attending 
elementary school and graduating from Bagley High School.
 
During World War II he joined the army and served on the European Front. After 
an honorable discharge he returned home and immediately enrolled in Northeastern 
College in Tahlequah where he completed his pre-law education. He then graduated 
from the University of Oklahoma law school in 1950.
 
Following graduation, Tom moved to Oregon, where his family now resided. He was 
a member of both the Oregon and Oklahoma bar. His first position in Oregon was 
in Salem, as an assistant attorney general for the state. He later moved to 
Medford where he ran for and was elected to the office of District Attorney for 
Jackson County. Following that, he established a private practice, retiring in 1993. 
He then served for three years at the Center for Non-Profit Legal Services.
 
Tom took an active interest in his community, serving on the School Board of 
District 549C, among other positions. He was active politically and served as 
Jackson County District Chairman for the Democratic Party. He was also quite 
proud of serving as Southern Oregon's chairman for Robert Kennedy's campaign 
for president.
 
Tom was a devoted reader of history and always interested in historical figures. 
He is best remembered for his keen love of jazz (particularly Miles Davis and 
Bill Evans); his fondness for a dry Martini and good conversation; his sense of 
humor; his slightly unorthodox golf swing and the many years he spent playing 
golf with his friends and sons; his love of gardening; and his joy in preparing 
marvelous meals for family and friends. He truly embraced life and will be missed 
not only by his family but by his many friends from all walks of life.
 
At Tom's request there will be no public memorial. A private internment has been held.
 
Tom is survived by his wife, of 55 years, Mary; their children, Thadd, Jefferson, 
Erich and Heidi; daughter-in-law, Elise and granddaughters, Gabriella and Haley. 
He was preceded in death by his parents, infant son, Thomas Matthew and brother, 
Harmon. Surviving brothers and sisters are Gwen, Joel, Walter, Harry, Rob and Jane.
 
Memorial contributions may be made to the Center for Non-Profit Legal Services, 
Inc. 225 West Main Street Medford, Oregon, zip code 97501.