Robert Bruce Reed, 83, Springfield, Missouri, passed away on February 18, 2011 in the Missouri Veterans Home in Mt. Vernon, Missouri. He was born January 23, 1928 in Neodesha, Kansas to Roger John and Olivia Barr Reed.
Bruce leaves behind Sue Ellen Matthews Reed whom he married on January 16, 1953 in Monett, Missouri. Also surviving are their five sons and families: Douglas and Linda Reed and children, Dylan and McKenna of Chapel Hill, NC, Paul and Jan Reed and children, Jeff and Jessica Reed and daughter, Autumn Rose, of Kankakee, IL, and Lindsay Reed of Madison, WI, John Reed of Laguna, Niguel, CA, Philip Reed and son Austin of Springfield, MO, James and Berit Reed and daughters, Malin and Kaia of Oslo, Norway; three brothers, Louis Reed of Portland, OR, Richard and Susan Reed of Independence, MO, Vernon and Darlene Reed of Liberty, MO; sister-in-law, Mary Reed of Farmington, MO; brother-in-law, Charles Matthews and wife Mary, of Marionville, MO and sister-in-law, Mary Courdin of Monett, MO and several nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Henderson Reed and Harry Reed.
Bruce loved the Lord. He was a member of South Haven Baptist Church and enjoyed working in Bible School and Senior Hospital Visitation. He enjoyed his Sunday School Class, The Winsome Class. Bruce was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who was deeply loved and respected and will be greatly missed. Bruce coached several Kiwanis Baseball Teams for his sons and was Boy Scout Master when his sons were in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. He graduated from Marionville High School and received his Bachelor Degree in Industrial Technology from SMSU in Springfield, MO. Bruce served in the Marie Corps and the Army for three years after WWII. He was a radio dispatcher with the Missouri Highway Patrol. He taught Electronics at Vocational Technical School in Springfield, MO where his students became fascinated by the world of electronics and learned that they could apply themselves and still enjoy life and learned how to teach themselves and others. He taught mathematics in the Springfield Public Schools before working as a Counselor with the Missouri State Employment Office with more than thirty years of credit.
Funeral services will be Friday, February 25, 2011, at 10:00 am at Greenlawn Funeral Home South in Springfield with Reverend Ryan Palmer officiating. Burial will be in Hazelwood Cemetery.
Visitation is 6:00-8:00 pm at Greenlawn Funeral Home South on Thursday, February 24, 2011.
Memorial donations may be made to South Haven Baptist Church or to the Alzheimer’s Association or The Missouri Veterans Home in Mt. Vernon, MO.
Arrangements are under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home South. Online condolences can be left at www.greenlawnfuneralhome.com.