Joseph Frank “Joe” Reinauer, Jr., 84, died at home on Friday, May 1, 2026, surrounded by his loving family after a long and fulfilling life.

Joe was born June 10, 1941, in Oklahoma City, OK, to Joe Sr. and Violet (Leckie) Reinauer. Raised in Hereford, TX, as the eldest of 4 brothers, his early life centered around the family’s farming and ranching. He graduated as an Eagle Scout from Hereford High School and went on to study at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, OK, earning a degree in Animal Science in 1963. In college, he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity, and president of the OSU Flying Club; during this time he earned his pilot’s license.

After graduation, Joe served as an officer in the U.S. Army Artillery Corps from 1963-1966, attending the Infantry Airborne School and completing a tour in Vietnam. He earned his Parachute Badge, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Bronze Star. Joe held the deepest respect for our military, made lifelong friends with his Army buddies, and was proud to have served his country.

On his return, he managed the Reinauer Brothers’ Ranch as well as two working farms.

He met Linda Lee Alexander of Dallas, TX in 1969, and they married in January of 1971. They made their home in Hereford for the next 15 years. Joe and Linda welcomed two little girls in the early years of their marriage and enjoyed a close circle of dear friends.

Joe’s life and work were remarkably varied. Beyond his initial calling as a farmer and rancher, he was a lifelong learner and always up for the next adventure. Those included piloting charter flights for local businessmen, ownership of the Deaf Smith County Abstract Company from 1980-1990, serving on the Board of Directors of the First National Bank of Hereford, and as a City Commissioner. But in 1985, he began the pursuit of aviation as a full-time job. Flying was what he really loved. Joe became a pilot for several commercial airlines during the next 15 years, including Braniff and America West, and ended his career with NetJets, a private charter company, where he delighted in manning one of the fastest civilian jets, the Cessna Citation X.

A quiet retirement wasn’t going to satisfy Joe entirely, so alongside lots of traveling with Linda, he then went to nursing school in Pensacola, FL, where the family had settled in 1986. For several years, he volunteered as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at Our Lady of Angels St. Joseph’s Medical Clinic. His death on the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker feels deeply resonant.

Joe’s genuine interest in people and his social gifts made him a beloved friend, and he kept in touch with his cherished fraternity brothers, Army buddies, running partners, cousins, neighbors, and childhood friends throughout his life. He loved a party, loved to be the host, and loved to share stories.

Joe is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Bob and Jim; as well as his sister-in-law, Lorraine Baroco.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Linda; his daughters, Lee Thrash (Shawn), and Jill Reinauer Dahlgren (Nils); grandchildren, Alex and Kate Thrash, and Henrik, Olen, and Jens Dahlgren; loving brother and sister-in-law, Art and Kim Reinauer; brother-in-law, Paul Baroco; and several devoted nieces and nephews and their families.

Joe’s faith was a steadfast presence throughout his life. He was an active member of St. Anthony’s parish in Hereford, and St. Paul’s, Nativity, and Sacred Heart parishes in Pensacola.

A visitation will be held 5:00pm-7:00pm Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel, Pensacola, FL with a Rosary to be prayed at 6:30pm. Memorial Mass will be held 11:30am Thursday, May 28, 2026, at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, with Fr. Randy Recker celebrant. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.

Honorary pallbearers will be Shawn Thrash, Nils Dahlgren, Art Reinauer, Paul Baroco, Alex Thrash, Henrik Dahlgren, Tom Baroco, Scott Eddy, and Paul Perkins.

The family suggests memorial donations be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research or Our Lady of Angels St. Joseph Medical Clinic, Pensacola, FL.

The family would like to especially thank the doctors, family, and friends who were so attentive and caring during the last several months of Joe’s life.