JR was born a cowboy to sharecroppers in Arlington, Tennessee, in 1939. He always liked animals and his parents always had horses on the farm. His father got him his first pony at the age of 7 and he has been riding ever since. He moved to New York City with his parents in 1949. He eventually became a NYC police officer in 1964 and he retired in 1984. In his free time he helps out at Cedar Lane stables with rodeos, parades, barn tours for the kids and by promoting education. He is also a member of the South Queen Homing Pigeons Club and has, in his care, about 100 pigeons that he races and shows annually. Bill Pickett and Nat Love are some of his heroes. His biggest influence was his grandson, Tony Reid, a natural athlete who loved horses and nature and passed away before his time.