Donald Reed 1934-2010

Powerful. Kind-hearted. Loving. Hard-working.

These words are how the daughters of Donald Lee Reed described their father following his death April 28, 2010. Yet, Don was so much more than these simple words.

He began life Dec. 12, 1934, in Sioux City, Iowa, as the eldest son of Ray and Isabell Reed. The family lived in Beresford, S.D. Don’s boyhood was filled with adventures with his siblings Kleo and Howard, and later, with his much younger brother, Tom. The family moved to a variety of places in the Midwest before landing in Rapid City, S.D.

Don Reed

It was in Rapid City that Don met his wife, Cleo. They were high school sweethearts. He was the town boy, she the country girl. They married Aug. 14, 1955.

Don graduated from the South Dakota School of Mines in 1958 with a degree in mining engineering. Don’s high regard for his alma mater was evident for the rest of his life as he encouraged every family member to attend the School of Mines. By the time Don graduated college he and Cleo were expecting their second daughter, Tami. She joined big sister, Jann, right before graduation. A third daughter, Pam, arrived before the family moved from Rapid City.

Don’s work in the construction industry took him and his family all over the country. His career started as an engineer on Minuteman missile sites in North Dakota, which lead to work on the Cape Canaveral Operations Building in Florida, and project manager on metro systems in Boston and Washington, D.C. Youngest daughter, Kae, was born while the family was in Florida. Don’s last career move was to open Donald L. Reed Construction Consultants, using the skills he had obtained to assist others with their construction challenges. He retired in 2007.

Don had a work opportunity to return to California in 1973. Don and Cleo resided in Concord for 34 years and watched as each of their children graduated college and moved away to start their lives. Nurturing his girls as they gained their independence was a source of great pride to Don.

Don and Cleo were introduced to boating and water skiing when the girls were young, which quickly became the favorite family activity. Don loved cars since he was a young man, and although he thought a Cadillac was going to be his ultimate driving machine, once he test drove a BMW, he was hooked. He and Cleo crisscrossed the country multiple times in their BMW visiting their wide circle of family and friends along the way.

Don was involved with the First Presbyterian Church in Concord where he volunteered in the Stephen Ministry – something he continued to do in Paradise at Paradise United Methodist Church.

Don and Cleo moved to Paradise, Calif., in 2007 to be closer to their children in Chico, Redding and South Lake Tahoe. Special trips to Minnesota were made to visit his long-distance daughter. He found ways to make a contribution to his new community by being a volunteer at Feather River Hospital and Butte County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). Don believed strongly in helping others.

Don is survived by his wife, Cleo Reed; daughter Jann Reed and husband Lester Wong; daughter Tami Jordan and husband Mike Jordan; daughter Pam Valentine; daughter Kae Reed and partner Sue Wood; grandchildren Joseph Jordan, Chris Jordan, Veronica Wong, Oliver Wong and Jacqueline Wong; great-grandson Michael Jordan; sister Kleo Karst; brothers Howard Reed and Tom Reed; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Services will be May 6 at 2pm at Paradise United Methodist Church. His ashes will be buried at a later date at Pine Lawn Memorial Cemetery in Rapid City near the Black Hills.

Contributions to honor Don may be made to Butte County CASA, 10 Independence Circle, Chico, CA 95973; or Malawi Africa Mission New Horizon Church International, 1770 Ellis Ave., Ste. 100, Jackson, MS 39204; or to your favorite charity.