Jim graduated from Brookfield High School in Brookfield, Ohio. On his 18^th birthday he joined the Navy.  While waiting for his activation and during the summer directly after his high school graduation in 1967 he drove truck and worked as a warehouse man for Sear Roebucks.

 After completing basic training Reeher was assigned to a ship in Mayport, Florida bound for a Mediterranean mission.  While serving on the USS Pawcatuck AO 108 he worked his way into the communication department and was trained in deciphering codes during the power struggle in Libya’s civil unrest.  He later served with Commander Service Squadron Four and finally with Vice Admiral Miller of Second Fleet Command as voice and satellite communications coordinator.  While still in the Navy Jim completed the course of study for the Lay License to Preach in the United Methodist Church and amassed enough credit to complete the first year of college.

 Jim earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Psychology and Journalism while attending the University of Tampa in Tampa, Florida.  He earned a Masters of Divinity and Doctoral degree work at Chandler School of Theology, Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.  He completed a Doctor of Ministry degree at Boston University in Boston, Mass. His doctoral thesis focused on supporting clergy families throughout the relocation process.     

Rev. Reeher served a variety of appointments over his years of service:

 Before seminary Jim served as a student pastor at Christ U.M.C. (3 Yrs.) in Tampa, Florida.  During seminary he served Lamar Circuit (3 Yrs), a three point circuit in Lamar County, Georgia.  After seminary, Rev. Reeher served as associate pastor at Grace United Methodist Church (2 Yrs.) in Venice, Florida.  He was the founding pastor for Saint James United Methodist Church (6 1/2 Yrs.) in Sarasota, Florida.  He served both First United Methodist Seffner (4 Yrs.) and Forest Hills United Methodist (8 Yrs.) in the Tampa area.  He was appointed to First United Methodist Church (7 Yrs.) Winter Garden, Florida after the killer tornados of 1998.  He assisted with recovery and revitalization of the church over a period of seven years.  He was appointed to Pine Island United Methodist Church (3 Yrs.) after hurricane Charlie and spent three years in recovery work there.  He was appointed to Grace United Methodist Church, Saint Augustine in July 2008.

Publications and service work experience:

 Reeher has served on District and Conference Boards of Ministry in the areas of Stewardship, Church and Society, and Missions.  He was chairperson of the Tampa District Committee on Ministry for 9 years and the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry for four years.  He and his wife Meme, helped to found the Conference agency for clergy family emotional and spiritual support called Shade and Fresh Water.

His publications include a number of works related to clergy family relocation.  He has written a handbook used by the Florida Conference entitled, “Supporting Clergy Families Through Relocation.”  He has published a number of devotional booklets used by churches through the Advent and Lenten seasons.  He published a devotional book entitled, “Crossroads and Intersections”.  He has published a number of short stories and promotes an international writing contest that invites people to share their family stories.

  Jim and his wife, Meme, have been married for nearly 40 years.  Meme, has an Associate degree from Manatee Community College.  She has worked in the Florida state university and public school system.  The Reehers have two grown children, Elizabeth in the Tampa, Florida area and James in the Cleveland, Ohio area.  The Reehers recently became grandparents.