J. T. Morriss & Son Funeral Homes

Reed, Paul A.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Paul Arland Reed died Wednesday, April 16, 2008. He was born on November 13, 1925 in Ashton, IL and moved to Amboy, IL where he graduated from Amboy Township High School in 1943. He was preceded in death by his wife, Cynthia Ann in 1967 and by Edith, his wife of 38 years, in 2006. He was the ninth child born to Claude and Evalyn Reed. One sister, Marion DeCourcey, resided in Franklin Grove, IL. After graduating from high school, he was inducted into the U. S. Army and served in the 17th Airborne Division in Europe. He participated in the Battle of the Bulge and the Airborne invasion of Germany in 1945. He was awarded the Army Parachute wings, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Bronze Star and three battle stars. Discharged in 1946, he attended Sacred Heart Seminary in Shelby, Ohio and was ordained a Missionary of the Sacred Heart in 1954. After a brief stint as an instructor, he was nominated as a Missionary to New Guinea. Returning from New Guinea, he settled in Hawaii and was accepted into the U. S. Civil Service and served in Japan, Korea and Fort Lee, VA where he retired in 1987. He resided in Petersburg, VA. He is survived by his son, David and daughter-in-law, Meghan, and son, Jonathan, both from his marriage to Edith. He is also survived by his in-laws, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was a member of the Crater Chapter of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, the 17th Airborne Association and the American Legion. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 PM Sunday, April 20, 2008 at the Petersburg Chapel of J. T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home & Cremation Service. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM Monday, April 21, at Virginia Veterans Cemetery, Amelia, VA. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1117 Ft. Hayes Dr., Petersburg, VA 23805. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com.

Dear David and family, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. Hold on to the wonderful memories that you have. Please know that you and your family remain in my thoughts and prayers. Patty Nobles(St. Vincent dePaul class of 1990)

Posted by: Patty Nobles at May 12, 2008 11:48 AM

Dear David, Meghan, Jonathan and Gail Marie,

It was good to be with all of you for Uncle Paul's funeral. You have been much in my thoughts ever since. I know there are so many details and decisions and it must feel overwhelming sometimes. Please remember that you still have LOTS of family around you. It's not the same as your wonderful mom and dad, of course, but we are here, and we love you.

Your dad was always one of my very favorite people. When I was a little girl, I LOVED when he would come home from New Guinea and tell stories and show slides. And I remember when Jim and I got married, and we were slipping out of the reception to leave on our honeymoon, he caught up with us and slipped me "a little something for a nice bottle of champagne" which we enjoyed immensely! Of course, the effort he and your mom made to come for my dad's funeral will always be a touching memory for me.

Most of all, though, I came to really cherish our on-line conversations. Uncle Paul was so loving and supportive and non-judgemental and I felt like I could share anything with him. I will miss that a lot. I keep his name on my email address list because it makes me think of him every day.

Take care of each other and let's please continue to cultivate the ties of family and friendship between us.

love ya,
your cousin,
Patti-Lou

Posted by: Patti Van Slyke at May 5, 2008 11:48 AM

Dear David, Meghan and Johnathan: We are still thinking about you and hoping that you are doing well. I sure did love your Dad. I have many special memories of him. I will never forget him being there at my Confirmation. I can still remember his smile just before the Bishop pronounced my new name - Theresa. It was very special having my Uncle Paul up there - all my friends were so envious. Of course, we will never forget him and Aunt Edie coming out for Dad's funeral. When we were all together at the house the night after the funeral and your Dad laughed, it sounded like Dad. You are great 'kids' and your Dad and Mom will be with you always. David, you said at the funeral, "Now, it's just Johnathan and me." Well, we are here if you ever need us. We Reed cousins have to stick together! Love you MUCH.

Posted by: Jim, Mary Ca, Meg, Becca, James and Allison at May 3, 2008 11:20 PM

David and Jonathan,

I would like to express my deepest sympathies for your loss. Your Dad was a very special man and will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Posted by: Paul Gartner at April 21, 2008 11:55 AM

Jonathan, David, and Meghan
We first met Paul & Edie in Okinawa in 1971. They were our best and closest friends there, sharing good times and bad together. The best was when Edie announced David was on the way. The last few years Paul and I talked frequently on the computer. I shall cherish those chats forever. We surely miss them both. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time and always.
Al & Penny

Posted by: Al & Penny Kolpack at April 20, 2008 07:47 PM

Dear David and Jonathan,
Please accept my most sincere condolences and sympathy as you come to terms with the death of your father and my uncle. I wish that I could be with you in these days, as I had the honor to be when your mother passed away. You can be sure that you will be very much in my thoughts and prayers as you gather at the funeral home and at the cemetery in the heart of the lush Virginia countryside. May the peacefulness of that place give the both of you the peace and consolation necessary to lay your father to rest and to live happily with his memory.

As you know, your dad and I had a lot in common and a lot that differentiated us. I obviously admired him a lot, as I followed, in part, in his footsteps; and without regret. When I returned from Africa your parents were both so very kind, supportive, understanding and generous to me. I will never forget that. In the end, the things that we do in our lives are what keep us alive forever in some way. Your dad and mom did so much that you surely must feel their life in many places and people.

Blessings as you grieve and as you heal.

Your cousin,
Phil

Posted by: Phil Reed at April 20, 2008 06:38 PM

Jonathan
T.Y. and I are thinking of you and wanted you to know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Thanks for bringing your Dad out to meet us. We really enjoyed meeting him. As the caretaker of my Grandmother, I really admire you and am in AWE of the wonderful way that you took care of your father. Any one would be proud to have you for a son. Love, Peace and Fond Memories.
Robyn

Posted by: Robyn and T.Y. Tye at April 20, 2008 01:49 AM

Dear David, Jonathan and families,
We will really miss both your parents at reunions and in e-mails. They both shared a great zest for life and wonderful sense of humor.
I personally will miss exchanging genealogy with uncle Paul greatly.
We are very sorry to not be able to come to Virginia, but you and yours have been and will remain in our thoughts and prayers.
He has been on the list at our church many times and will stay there for quite awhile to come.
I really hope to see you at future reunions. If you ever venture around the Champaign-Urbana area or have family tree questions, you are always welcome at our house! Nancy

Posted by: Kevin, Nancy & Katrina Reed at April 19, 2008 06:29 PM

Meghan, David & family.

We are praying for comfort and peace for each of you in this time of sorrow. Know that while he may be gone from your sight, he is ever in your hearts. Whatever you need you know you only have to ask. May GOD Bless you and keep you with HIS grace and mercy.

Posted by: Kevin & Barbara Marbury at April 19, 2008 12:54 AM

My sympathy and supportive thoughts are with you. Your dad was fun to be with wherever we went. He took me to the racetrack when I was a teenager and I was so proud to be asked to go with him. He told great "stories" and he certainly helped many in his life time. Prayers to you and your families. He rests in peace. Please keep in touch as our aunts and uncles taught us!

Posted by: Kathleen (Lower) Aller at April 18, 2008 04:37 PM

I am so glad you called me to tell me about your Dad . My sincere condolences in your loss. Both your parents were so upbeat and a real blessing to know. I will pray for you in your losses. Kathy

Posted by: kathy orsini at April 18, 2008 10:30 AM

David and Meghan and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. We will be thinking of you and you will be in our prayers.
Love,
Paul, Kristin and family

Posted by: Kristin and Paul Cosby at April 17, 2008 11:12 AM

Jonathan, David and Megan - Your Dad was such a special person and loved so much. We always had a special bond; he was not just my uncle but a friend who I am missing already. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. You will always have a place in my heart too.

Posted by: Rosalie Reed Gartner at April 16, 2008 11:49 PM

I wish to extend sincere condolences to the family of Paul Reed. Paul and I spent six years together in Shelby, Ohio in the 50's. His passing brings back many memories. He was a good friend. It was wonderful to be able to get back in touch in recent months. May he rest in peace.

Posted by: John P. Bruni at April 16, 2008 03:12 PM