Obituary for Richard Carl Reed

Richard Carl Reed, age 90, of Canal Winchester, passed away with a full heart on February 19, 2024. He was born on September 29, 1933, in Columbus, OH to the late William and Margarete (Carney) Reed. Richard will be fondly remembered as a family man who could never refuse the request of a member of his clan, no matter the personal sacrifice required.  He generously gave of his time, affection, and wisdom to three subsequent generations of his family who will proudly carry out the life lessons that they learned from him.  Despite being a man of often few words, Richard had a biting sense of humor that could equally explode the dinner table or a large banquet hall in unending laughter. 

His family is confident that Richard’s greatest quality was love for his wife Mary and the positive expressions of that relationship that warmed every room they entered.  He embodied his “till death do us part” marriage vows over six decades, as he was indefatigable in serving as a pillar of strength and hope through numerous health challenges and family loss. His final days were consumed with the well-being of his wife and family.

While Richard’s accomplishments are too numerous to list here, a few require mention.  Richard proudly served our Country in the United States Army, where he provided his strengths working with the Bravo Company 30^th Tank Battalion. He was Honorably discharged on February 26, 1962.

Richard retired from Ohio Bell/AT&T after 50 years of employment. He was a member of the F & A M – Lodge 563, as and was active in both the Masons and Shriners organizations. He was also active in the Ambassadors Club, specifically the Hillbillies, Jesters, Reception Unit and received the Meritorious Service Award in 2010.

Richard is survived by his wife Mary, daughter Sandy (Larry) Sutherland; grandsons Charles Reed Jr., William (Ameena) Reed, and Matthew Sutherland; granddaughter Erin (John) Schindel; great grandchildren Ava Reed, Luna Reed, Cade Schindel, and Cole Schindel. Besides his parents Richard is preceded in death by his son Charles Reed. 

Services including a Masonic Service will be held at 11:30 AM, Wednesday, February 28, 2024, in the Chapel at Blendon Central Cemetery.  If you are unable to attend, his family asks that you think of one positive idea that Richard introduced into your life and practice it at your first possible convenience.