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Reed Chittim was born on January 24, 1931 in Hulett, Wyoming and raised on a ranch until 1937. His father, Charlie Chittim, and mother, Laura May, moved Reed, his sister, Marilee and brother, Melvin to Sundance, Wyoming when Charlie was elected Crook County Assessor. Soon after, Reed's youngest sister, Marie arrived. In 1945, the Chittim family moved to Casper, Wyoming where Reed graduated from Natrona County High school in 1949. Reed excelled at high school football, basketball, baseball and was first chair trumpet player in the high school band. He played the trumpet for Saturday Night dances with the family band. Reed played baseball for the Cincinnati Reds Farm team as a pitcher. In 1950, Reed, his mother, two sisters and brother moved to Laramie, Wyoming where he attended school at the University of Wyoming. At the University of Wyoming he was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity, a pitcher on the Wyoming Cowboy baseball team, and a member of the National Collegiate Championship billiard team. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1953, and married Barbara Bell that same year. He took his R.O.T.C. Commission and served as a 2nd and 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army in Fort Benning, GA, Fort Riley, KS and from 1954-1956 in Germany. Reed graduated with a Bachelor of Art in Finance and Banking from Denver University in 1958. He also attended the Harvard University Senior Bank Executive's School in 1971. Additionally, he held many professional licenses related to the financial industry. From 1959-1961 Reed worked as a National Bank Examiner in Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico. His long and illustrious career in banking spanned nearly a half-century, from Farmington, Los Alamos, Hobbs, West Texas and Albuquerque. Reed had many proud banking accomplishments. He formed Los Alamos National Bank and served as President from 1963-1965. He was then brought to Hobbs as President and Chief Executive Officer for First National Bank of Lea County in 1965. As a result of his dynamic leadership, he brought First National Bank of Lea County to the largest bank in the county, the largest bank outside Albuquerque and the fourth largest bank in New Mexico. He also served as a Member of the Board of Directors of the El Paso Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. Reed had a heart of gold, rooted for the "underdog" and felt a responsibility to give back to his community and help improve the life of those in need. As such, he was dedicated to community service and helped raise substantial amounts of money for nonprofit organizations and many others over the years. He was a proud member of the Elks Club, Rotary Club, former President of the Hobbs Chamber of Commerce, served as a board member for the Salvation Army and on the board and director of many civic and business organizations. Reed loved life, never met a stranger, enjoyed music and was a skilled trumpet player. He also was an accomplished dancer, especially the jitterbug! A sports enthusiast, he followed teams from the Dallas Cowboys to Lady Lobos. In the early days, fishing, hunting and tent camping were special family adventures. Reed followed his family's tradition of being an involved and loyal democrat. Like his predecessors, has always exemplified the attitude "Yes We Can!" Reed met Pattie Dodd in 1995 and they married in 1999. They joined the Asbury United Methodist Church in June 2005. Following a long and courageous bout with cancer, Reed peacefully passed on, surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by wife, Pattie Chittim; his sister, Marilee Fattor; his aunt, Nadine Rankin; the mother of his nine children, Barbara Bell; his children, Kathleen Strukoff, Kevin Chittim, Tim Chittim, Teresa Chittim, Virginia Chittim, Bridget Chittim, Mary Fields, Margaret Blythe and Charlie Chittim; his grandchildren, Austin Chittim, Kenney Chittim, Travis Chittim, Charlie Chittim, Cole Atkison, Jade Atkison, Dakota Atkison, Marisa Mendoza, Jennamarie Sab, Blake Sab, Kathryn Chittim, Ireland Fields and Joseph Blythe; his nephews and nieces, Dean Birden, Laura Weaver, David Chittim, Gary Chittim, Tina Chittim, Shirley McBurney, Ellen Zimmerman, Doug Zimmerman; and many cousins. Along the way and through many years, Reed happily accrued a treasure trove of friends and acquaintances. Throughout Reed's 78 years here on earth, he deeply touched many lives and he possessed so many outstanding qualities. He dearly loved his family and friends and in return was loved the same way. He possessed so many outstanding qualities. We will remember him as a hard working, determined, self motivated, humble, considerate, generous, kind, compassionate, trustworthy, honest, loving and supportive man and loyal friend. His display of strength, courage and optimism during his valiant cancer battle is an example for all of us. He stood tall and carried himself with the utmost dignity. We loved him very much and will dearly miss him. We know that he is resting in peace and look forward to joining him in heaven. Memorial Services and Celebration of Reed's Life will be held at Asbury United Methodist Church, 10000 Candelaria NE, Albuquerque, NM on Friday, May 1, 2009, 10:00 a.m., with a reception to follow. Private interment will take place at Santa Fe National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers Reed's family has requested that a donation be made in Reed's memory to the New Mexico Cancer Center Foundation, 4901 Lang Avenue NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109, (505) 828-3791, www.nmcancercenterfoundation.org. Please visit our online guestbook for Reed at RememberTheirStory.com French 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400
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