Ace Reid

Who was Ace Reid?

Ace Reid was the creator of the cartoon Cowpokes and Western humorist. Cowpokes, at one time, ran in over 400 weekly newspapers across the United States. He produced many popular cartoon books and calendars during his lifetime.

He was born on March 10, 1925 at Lelia Lake, Donley County, Texas. He was the son of Asa E. Reid, Sr., and Callie Miles Bishop. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to Electra, Wichita County, Texas, where he grew up ranching and cowboying.

During World War II, he served as a Machinist's Mate in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific aboard the USS Lanier. It was on board the Lanier that "Cowpokes" was born. "The Sorry Salt" was a cartoon he drew for the ship's newspaper. After the War, "The Sorry Salt" became "Jake," his primary character.

On September 11, 1949, in Dallas, he married Madge Parmley, daughter of the doctor in Electra, T. H. Parmley. They moved to Kerrville, Kerr County, Texas in 1952. Ace’s first cartoon appeared in West Texas Livestock Weekly that same year. Two years later, their son and only child, Stan, was born.

Ace and Madge were living in Kerrville at the time of his death on November 10, 1991. Madge, still lives in Kerrville and has kept Cowpokes going ever since Ace's death.