James Reese (Jimmy) Bonham passed away in Portland, Oregon, on March 11, 2025, at the age of 94. He was born on January 13, 1931, in Roswell, to Warford Earl Bonham and Lillie Greening Bonham of East Grand Plains.He graduated from Roswell High School and received his degree in electrical engineering from New Mexico State University.

While on active duty in the U.S. Air Force 1954-57, Jimmy was stationed in San Antonio, Texas, and Scotland, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. Later, back in Roswell, he worked at Roswell Air Force Base as a civilian "problem solver." This included the exceedingly dangerous testing of missile silos with liquid oxygen. During the Cuban missile crisis he was tasked with troubleshooting the doors that swung open to let the missiles out. These doors were heavy concrete and were problematic, often seizing or sticking open or shut. He vividly remembers the evening when the crew removed the “dummy” missile and installed the “real” one, not knowing if they would be alive for the next sunrise! He also did work for the SAC Underground in Nebraska.

In 1963, Jimmy married Bette Eidenire in Roswell.
Their daughter Suzanne was born in 1967. The family lived in East Grand Plains until 1979, when Jimmy and Bette moved to Hobbs where Jimmy worked for Cabot Oil and Gas Corporation.

Jimmy loved loved quiet time at home with his family. He adored his daughter and grandson and was gentle and kind with all children. Suzanne remembers how patient her dad was with her and his grandson Reese and that he taught them many honorable values. Jimmy was a devoted Christian, and Bible study, spirituality, and meditation were a big part of his life.

Jimmy enjoyed riflery, and on November 22, 2000, he was honored to be named to the National Rifle Association's Millennium Honor Roll. He also very much liked welding and tinkering around with cars, and he could fix literally anything that was broken. He and Bette enjoyed horseback riding. Jimmy loved to tell the story of the time his mare Ms. Bucky ran wild and cast him over her head into the manure pile. He loved hiking, walking and playing with his dogs, listening to the radio, and drinking coffee with his cronies every morning at McDonald's.

Jimmy's brother Tommy remembers this story from their childhood: My brother Jimmy was quite a prankster. We were 10 years apart in age so when I was around 8, Jimmy would have been around 18. I went out to help Jimmy with work he was doing on a car. Jimmy asked me to go get a tool he needed and started giving me directions where to find it. "Go more to the left, then to the right, then twist and turn to get to the right tool." When I arrived at the tool, suddenly there was a bucket of water dumping down on my head!

In late 1952, when he was 21, Jimmy married 18-year-old Roetta Pickering in Roswell. The marriage ended in divorce.

Jimmy is survived by his wife Bette Lee, daughter Suzanne, son-in-law Buck, and grandson, Reese, all of Portland, Oregon, brother Tommy of Albuquerque, and nieces and nephews Bobby Bonham (Louetta), Brenda Bonham, and Betty Roberts of Roswell. Also great and great-great nieces and nephews Teresa Villareal (Eli) of Lubbock, Richard Bonham (Dana) of Colorado Springs. Also David Villareal of Lubbock, Matthew Bonham (Agnes) and Hoby Bonham (Amanda) of Roswell, Monica Bonham Sweeney (Scott), Storrie Morris (Joby), Shauna Miller (Matt), Paul Bonham (Sarah), Christopher Bonham (Connie), Phoebe Bonham, Georgia Bonham, Daniel Bonham, Jonathan Bonham, Justin Rogers (Melanie), Ryan Rogers, Chance Bonham, Lyla Bonham, Jeremiah Sweeney, Willow Sweeney, Sage Morris, Seth Morris, Sadie Morris, Payton McCarty, Riley McCarty, Stryker Bonham, and Ava Bonham. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Bill and Bob, sisters-in-law Betty and LaVon, and his nephew Keith Roberts.

The family will gather in Roswell for a family memorial on April 14.

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