Gary Reed

Gary Reed, 67, passed away July 3 at the Hospice House in Kansas City. He was born Oct. 6, 1946, in Vermillion, S.D., where he grew up. Gary graduated from the University of South Dakota and spent two years serving in the U.S. Army. He was a combat engineer with the 19th Engineer Battalion in Vietnam. In June 2012, he retired after working for several years as the clinic administrator for Physicians Laboratory in Sioux Falls, S.D. After retirement, Gary and his wife Shari moved to Bella Vista, Ark., and were living life to the fullest. His passion was golf at which he excelled. He had also recently become a master naturalist and found enjoyment in hiking, kayaking, bowling, photography and bird watching. Gary was the captain of The Black Pearl, his pontoon boat that was a source of great enjoyment. Gary is survived by his wife, Shari, his daughters Suzanne McGrath (Patrick) and Aimee Reed; and six grandchildren, Catherine, Elizabeth, Caroline, Kennedy, Sydney and Grant. He also has one brother Jim in Vermillion, S.D.; two nephews, a large extended family on his wife's side and numerous friends. A funeral mass will be held at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Bella Vista, Ark., on Friday, July 11, at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.