John Fred Reed, Jr. (2012)
CRAWFORD, CREGER, GRIPP, KALE, REED
Posted By: Mary Welty Hart
Date: 1/12/2012 at 10:23:47
Des Moines Register
Des Moines, Iowa
Thursday, January 12, 2012J. FRED REED, JR, Osceola
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, January 13, 2012 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola.
Visitation will be on Thursday with family present 5 to 7 Thursday evening. Interment will be in Maple Hill Cemetery in Osceola.
John Fred Reed, Jr. eldest son of John Fred and Honor Amanda Creger Reed was born March 17, 1921, in Truro, Iowa and left this life January 9, 2012 at Clarke County Hospital in Osceola, Iowa.
He received his education at the Truro School and graduated in 1938 where he lettered in baseball. He then attended Iowa State University where he also excelled in baseball. Upon returning home, he played for the Truro Town Team with his best friend Dale Lytton.
He was united in marriage to Dorris Mae Gripp on September 22, 1940 in New Virginia, Iowa; one daughter, Sandra Sue blessed this union.
He served his country with the United States Coast Guard during World War II, attended Officers Training at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut and was stationed at several bases in Florida. He was honorably discharged in 1944.
When they returned to Truro, Fred Jr. and Dorris purchased the Produce and Feed business which was known as Reed Feed & Grain. They later consolidated with his brothers in the fertilizer, chemical and lumber business known as Reed Brothers. In 1960, Fred and Dorris moved the feed and grain business to Winterset which they sold in 1979. They continued to operate the Truro business until 1982.
Fred Jr. became a Mason in 1946 and became a member of the consistory in 1959 when he was raised to the thirty second degree. In 1969, he served as Master of Ivy Lodge in Truro. Later he became a member of the Za-Ga-Zig Shrine and R.O.J. #46. He transferred his membership to Osceola Lodge #77 where he became a 50 year member as well as a 50 year member of Ophir Chapter #267 O.E.S in Osceola.
He was always strong in his political beliefs and in 1980 was chosen as a Delegate to the Republican National Convention where Ronald Reagan was chosen as nominee and later elected President of the United States. Fred and Dorris were honored to attend his inauguration in Washington D.C.
In 1981, Fred Jr. was appointed by President Reagan to serve as a State Committeeman of the Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS), a Division of the United States Department of Agriculture. He served in that position from 1981 to 1986.
In 1997, Fred and Dorris moved to Osceola to make their home near their daughter, Sandra and her husband Denis Kale and grandson Todd. They continued to spend their winters in Florida first at Long Boat Key and then Titusville.
Fred was a devoted sports fan and enjoyed playing tennis and golf as much as possible. In early years, he seldom missed a softball or basketball game of Sandra's and also enjoyed Todd's baseball and football games. He was an avid Chicago Cubs fan and later a fan of the Orlando Magic.
Fred never met a stranger and loved to visit with people by the hour. No matter where he went, he was always able to start a conversation with someone. These attributes were helpful in the time he enjoyed serving as Director and Honorary Board Chairman of American State Bank in Osceola.
Fred was also a lifetime member of the United Methodist Church in Truro.
He leaves his family with many loving memories, his wife Dorris of Osceola; daughter, Sandra (Sandy) Kale and husband Denis of Osceola; grandson, Todd Kale and Alisha Crawford and Ely; three great grandchildren, Reed, Abby and Ethan Kale; twin brothers, Harry Reed and wife Marilyn of West Des Moines and Herbert Reed and wife Marjorie of Winterset; many nieces and nephews as well as other relatives and friends.
Memorials may be directed to Clarke County Hospital Med-Surg Unit.
Online condolences may be made to his family at kalefuneralhome.com.
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