He was born on March 10, 1925 at Lelia Lake, Donley County, Texas (near Amarillo). He was the son of Asa E. Reid, Senior, and Callie Miles Bishop. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to Electra, Wichita County, Texas, where he grew up ranching and cowboying.
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. During World World War II, he served as a Machinist"s Mate in the United States. Navy in the Pacific aboard the United States Ship Lanier (APA-125).
lieutenant 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.
They moved to Kerrville, Kerr County, Texas in 1952. Ace’s first cartoon appeared in West Texas Livestock Weekly that same year.
Reid appeared in the early gatherings of the American Cowboy Culture Association, which holds the annual National Cowboy Symposium and Celebration each September in Lubbock, Texas.
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.
