Obituary: Jack Norman Reed

Jack Norman Reed, 89, of Cincinnati, OH, went home to join his beloved wife Mabel Ruth Blosser, who preceded him in death almost exactly three years prior. He made a peaceful transition on Tuesday, September 24, 2013.

Jack was born to the late Austin Clyde Reed and the late Salinda May Powell in the Montana coal camp in Marion County, West Virginia. He was the younger brother to the late Wanda Reed, who died as an infant, and the late Starling Reed.

Jack was part of the “Greatest Generation,” a generation that knew what it was to be a man, partly because they had to become men at an early age. Faced with the dangers of following his father into the coalmines, he decided to risk his luck instead by signing up for the U.S. Army at the start of World War II. He was assigned to the 774^th Field Artillery Battalion, where he served as a Corporal. For his act of bravery for directing field artillery from behind enemy lines, he was awarded the Bronze Star.

After the war, Jack went to West Virginia University on the GI Bill to get a degree in Mechanical Engineering, thus ensuring that he would never be going into the mines. While back home in West Virginia, he met his wife Mabel at a local square dance. His adoration for her that started that day and lasted their nearly 63 years of earthly marriage could never be doubted.

Always following the next engineering project, he ended up settling in Cincinnati, where he eventually started AE Development, an engineering company, with loyal business partner Nick Neidich.

Jack was a very caring man, who always put his family first, and worked hard to well provide for them. A humble man, his pride was reserved for his family. He had a great sense of humor and had a smile and laugh that would light up the room. He loved a good party, and was always quick to get ready, wanting to be early, never late, to an event.

Jack is survived by daughters Carol and Karen; grandchildren Heather, David, Steven, and Phillip; and great-grandchildren Austin and Jack.

A memorial service at the Pleasant Ave, Fairfield, OH Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints meetinghouse will be held on Thursday, September 26, 2013 at 6:30PM. Jack begins his temporary rest on Friday, September 27, 2013 with a military burial with full honors at the West Virginia National Cemetery in Grafton, WV. Here he will rise on the day of Resurrection, and perhaps, as usual, he will be a little early to enjoy the festivities with his family.