Respected, longtime judge P.K. Reiter passes

Judge Putnam Kaye “P.K.” Reiter passed away at his Mexia home on Tuesday, Aug. 18, at age 87.

Reiter was an almost historic figure in the city, considering his father played a significant role in the Mexia Oil Boom of the 1920s, being one of those who drilled for and found oil near Mexia. But more than that, Reiter was a judge for decades, making thoughtful decisions and earning the respect of anyone who knew him or worked with him.

Many Mexia residents commented on social media on how much they respected Reiter for his intelligence and even loved Reiter for his kindness and interest in others. Those who worked with him in the legal field attested to his character and integrity, some of whom are quoted below after a few details about his life.

P.K. Reiter earned a bachelor’s and masters degree from Rice Institute and a degree in geological engineering and engineering sciences from the University of Oklahoma. He earned his law degree from the University of Houston in 1969 and worked in general practice for nearly 10 years before being elected to the 77th District Court in 1978. As district judge he presided over hundreds of civil, criminal, family and probate cases in Limestone and Freestone counties.

After retiring as district judge in 1988, Reiter was appointed senior district judge of the Second Administrative Judicial Region from 1989 to the present, serving as a visiting judge. He also worked as a mediator in the private sector.

Those who knew him knew he was an active member of Christ Episcopal Church in Mexia.

Several of those mentioned below commented on his humbly walking from his home on North Ross Avenue, where he lived with his wife, Margaret, and daughter Margaret Frances Cutrer, to H-E-B grocery store and other places, visiting with various people on the way.

Benjie Reed

“I first met Judge Reiter in 1977, when I was trying to make the decision about coming home to practice law or not,” said Mexia attorney Benjie Reed. “I went around and talked to all the lawyers in the community, and he was very encouraging. He thought there was always room for additional lawyers. He said, ‘The more lawyers, the more lawsuits and litigation; therefore the more income.’

“I came back and had the pleasure of practicing with him for a while; and then he ultimately became district judge. As a district judge, he was an extremely – extremely – intelligent person, and very thorough. We young lawyers used to take final judgements and things like that up to him. He had this red pen; he would take it and would say, ‘Now, Mr. Reed, you won’t be offended if I make some changes.’ He would underline the decrees.

“We were good friends,” Reed continued. “For about 15 years we would get up four days a week at 5 o’clock in the morning and run five miles. The only day we didn’t run was when he went to the prayer breakfast on Thursday mornings. When he retired as district judge, he continued to be active in the legal community and in the community of his church especially. He was always willing to help if you had a question about oil and gas or something he specialized in. He would always listen to you and tell you what his opinion was; and if you would go back and check it out, it was pretty well always right. He was a great man of integrity; his word was his bond. He was cordial to almost everybody all the time. He was just a real strong citizen. He and Holloway Martin, and Joe Cannon would reflect what a true country lawyer was: that your word was your bond, and a lot of times you didn’t have to have things in writing, as you do now with many lawyers that don’t practice here locally. To make a long story short, he was a dear friend, an asset to the community and an asset to the legal profession.”

Joe Cannon

“Judge P.K. Reiter was a true student of the law and applied his vast knowledge and personal life experiences when rendering his decisions,” said retired attorney Joe Cannon. Even if an attorney disagreed with Judge Reiter’s ruling, that attorney knew the ruling was based on fair and reasoned logic.

“Judge Reiter loved his profession and was highly respected by those who practiced before him,” Cannon continued. “He enjoyed his reputation of being a fair and impartial jurist for all who appeared before him. His knowledge and application of the law will be missed.”

Debra Cannon

“We often saw him around town, and he was so energetic and enthusiastic and with a smile,” said longtime court reporter Debra Cannon.

Although Debra Cannon did not know Reiter through court, she met him through husband Joe. “He cared for both his wife and daughter, both named Margaret, with such devotion,” she added.

Patrick Simmons

“Judge Reiter was judge of the 77th District Court when I ran for county attorney in 1980,” said current 77th District Judge Patrick Simmons. “He actually had called my dad, Roy Simmons, who was an attorney in Mexia at the time – I was in law school at the time – to see if I was interested in running for county attorney. I hadn’t even considered it; Wendy and I were thinking about going to Dallas. I had interviewed with a firm up there. And he got me thinking about it. He was the first judge I really ever practiced under.

“I’m very sad to see him go because he was part of my past,” Simmons continued. “He was very intelligent and he could be very tough – and tough to deal with – but he loved being a judge, and he was good at it.”

Daniel Burkeen

“He was a true gentleman,” said attorney and former Limestone County Judge Daniel Burkeen. “The first time I remember trying a case before him was when I was in Houston. He was the judge down there; that was probably in the early ’90s. It was after he left the bench here. He was a fascinating man, very well read. He also loved to talk and interact with others. From the bench before he started court, very often he would tell some anecdote he had just read, or something else he had read and wanted to talk about before he started. He loved knowledge, reading and to discuss things with other people. He was very well read in the Scriptures; he was a man of God. He knew the Bible, and he lived those qualities that we all should try to have, those Christ-like qualities. He had those in the way he worked. He was so sharp and so knowledgeable. And he continued working, he was still working. He was still very active, very alert, very sharp.”

Roy DeFriend

“He was an exceptionally brilliant man, charismatic, with a lot of wit and personality,” Limestone County Attorney Roy DeFriend said of Judge Reiter. “There was only one Judge Reiter. I am sad for our loss. Prayers for his family.”

Judge P.K. Reiter is survived by his wife, Margaret Reiter; four children, Margaret Frances Cutrer, Lucille Anderson King, Kaye Denning Fleming and Putnam Ervin Reiter; and other relatives.