'Grandpa Joe': Retired Lubbock man uses his tax refund to enroll kids in classes at community center

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal  - Sunday, June 28, 2009

Ray Westbrook
 

The children in the Heart of Lubbock Neighborhood know him as Grandpa Joe.

He gives them books, takes them to robotics and ballet classes and buys them ice cream with what remains of his tax refund.

John Bowersmith/A-J Photo

Asbury United Methodist Church ministry director Joe Reeder enjoys a sundae with Aramis, center, and Rayna Manriquez. Reeder uses the money he gets from his federal income tax return to enroll children who attend his church in programs at the Maxey Community Center, and drives them to the classes. Sometimes after class they go out for ice cream on the way home.

In the summertime, he serves them lemonade, and in the winter, hot chocolate.

His full name is Joe Don Reeder, 65, a Lubbock native who may have been uniquely groomed through the years for the mission field. And when his missionary assignment eventually came, it was to children who live in a modest neighborhood of Lubbock.

Reeder accurately fulfills the role of a grandfather, even by his own admission: "I spoil them and send them home."

Erma Manriquez, whose children have enjoyed the friendship of Reeder for four years, said, "The kids love him. There are times when they have nothing to do, and he comes and saves the day.

"They have grown to call him Grandpa Joe. If they need help with homework or anything to do with school, Grandpa Joe has always been there for them."

Sherry Shrimpton, another parent, said Reeder was able to introduce her son, Darrian, to a Lego robotics course being offered at Maxey Community Center.

"There was only one slot left, and he got Bubba in," she said, using her son's nickname.

Reeder recognizes that the work he does with childre

John Bowersmith/A-J Photo

Shrimpron

n can be considered a ministry.

"I like to think the Lord gave it to me," he said.

Although many of the children he cares for are involved with his church, Asbury United Methodist, his outreach spans the neighborhood.

"It occurred to me that there are a lot of kids, especially in the part of town where our church is, at 20th street and Avenue T, whose parents are not soccer moms by any means. It's not just that they want to work; they have to work."

Like an apostle who preaches the gospel free of charge, Reeder fully sponsors everything he does for the children. And whether he carries a tutu he bought for a girl ballet student or provides transportation to class for a boy who likes Lego robotics, it's a complete support package.

"This is my tax refund money - I've got 15 courses signed up among 11 or 12 kids. The parents pay nothing, absolutely nothing," he said. "That's part of what I wanted to do, because I didn't want there to be any limitations, any hesitation because of a financial situation."

He added, "Most of the kids at Asbury United Methodist call me Grandpa Joe. I decided I would be a soccer grandpa."

John Bowersmith/A-J Photo

Reeder stands at the ready to catch Rayana Manriquez as she swings across a jungle gym at Maxey Park. Reeder took Rayana and her sister, Aramis, right, to the park after taking them to a cooking class at the Maxey Community Center.

According to Reeder, the children who live in some neighborhoods may miss out on exciting possibilities unless someone takes time to provide instruction.

"Their horizons are limited," he said. "They live in this little neighborhood that many times is impoverished and very limited in the stimulation that they can get as regards thinking and understanding things of this world," he said.

From time to time, he drives a bookmobile to give free books to children. A banner on the van says, "Free books for kids. Stop us if you want a book."

Once, a small girl yelled "Stop!" and when he gave her a book, she clutched it as though hugging a teddy bear. Normally, he tells parents the limit is two or three per child.

For the girl hugging the book, he said, "She can have all she wants."

Reeder has an extensive background that uniquely fits him for the work with children.

"I got a degree at Tech in sociology with a minor in psychology. That and $2 will get you a cup of coffee," he said.

But he worked in social services areas for seven years, then left to work on a degree in computer science at the University of Texas Permian Basin.

"I designed control systems in the oil fields ... all kinds of stuff. Then in 1982, there was a crash in the oil field - any oil-related business just went under, and I went under with it.

John Bowersmith/A-J Photo

Reeder drives Aramis, left, and Rayna Manriquez to and from a cooking class at the Maxey Community Center.

"I don't really regret that, though at the time it was tough. I lived in a two-bedroom house with no insulation, no air conditioning, no heating. In Odessa, I measured the temperature with a thermometer, and it was 116 degrees in there one day.

"I sometimes preach in the evening service at Asbury, and I occasionally play a keyboard and sing. I tell these guys and ladies there that I know where they are, because I do. I had learned how to Dumpster dive for a while, but it was some of the best lessons I ever learned, and I gained a tremendous amount of empathy."

Reeder takes what he learned and applies it with compassion to the children in ways he believes will show them unconditional love.

"We do grandpa stuff, such as going to get ice cream and movies. I took some kids to Hobby Lobby a short time ago, and it blew their minds. I told them I was broke until the next Social Security check, so they used my camera to take pictures of their dreams. Then they asked me how many days until my check!

"I'm a goner, but I love them way too much to turn them down," he said.

John Bowersmith/A-J Photo

Khiunna Lewis shows "Grandpa" Joe Reeder a photograph she took of her sister, Koriuna, during a dance class at the Maxey Community Center.

When he is asked why he does what he does, Reeder says, "It's because I'm supposed to. It's because the Scripture says to go out and do things for others, and when I do, I will be doing them for Christ. 'To the least of these ...' he says, so that's what I'm doing.

"The other half is to 'Go into the world and make disciples,' because I'm making little disciples as I go. I don't hold back on talking to them about the Lord when I go."

His daily schedule is filled beyond anything he experienced before retirement. But he thinks others from churches - with a necessary background check - can do the same thing:

"With the next refund check, go find some kids whose parents are not able to give them these opportunities, and give them to them."

To Grandpa Joe Reeder, like the writer of Psalm 118 before him, "This is the day the Lord has made."

He is rejoicing and glad in it.