Jerry Dan Reed

I am thankful to at long last have the opportunity to pay tribute to and commemorate my brother Jerry’s life. We all know what a tough year 2020 has been. Countless lives have been effected by the terrible Covid 19 Virus. Normalcy has changed. What we once did routinely has been altered, even as we do birthdays, weddings and yes, funerals. Thus this venue. What we once have done face to face, we now do virtually. I’m thankful that we can, at least do this. I would certainly like to invite all who knew Jerry to post a message, a prayer or a thought on this site, honoring him. Jerry was my elder brother by 13 months. Our sister Lynn who proceeded him in life also proceeded him in death. Lynn was the eldest of five with four boys following in rapid successsion, Jerry, Gil, Terry Michael and David. And though we were all born closely, we each seemed to march through life with the beat of different drums. Jerry’s drumbeat took him from our home on Circle Drive in OKC to the Air Force, back to OKC and finally to Canton, Oklahoma where he resided following his many years working for Bell Telephone. That’s kind of a broad brushstroke of my remembrance of Jerry’s life, but I also want to give a couple of more personal, fonder memories. Jerry and I shared a love for the outdoors. Early memories are of us bringing home all sorts of wildlife after a days outing abound. Frogs, turtles, snakes, birds and squirrels were commonly brought home. Jerry pushed the boundaries often. Mom drew the line when he’d come with skunks and badgers. But Jerry loved the outdoors! He thought everyone should enjoy it! Perhaps the greatest and most memorable time that Jerry and I shared was, I believe, in 1955. Jerry was 11 and I was 10. Grandma and Grandpa Boardman took us to Colorado to trout fish. That was a sacred place for them and for them to share it with us was amazing. We spent time together that I wish all brothers could share. The little town of Creede was so quaint and so picturesque. The graveled streets had no stoplights or even stop signs. Jerry and I sailed wooden airplanes outside as Grandpa went into the General store to secure our fishing permits and a few vittels. Not far down the road we found our cabin, beside the roaring Rio Grande River. It was spartan. Two recently installed light bulbs gave a hint to modern day amenities, while a wood burning stove, a water well and an outhouse spoke of more primitive days. But oh how Jerry loved it all. He was in his element, for sure. The river was just a few steps from the cabin. With cane poles in hand [Grandpa had a flyrod] we’d dig our bait by the banks and spend the day catching trout. The end of each day found us snuggled together under 4 blankets, tired to the bone but unable to erase our smiles. Grandpa stoked the fire, put on another log and waited for another glorious day. I, to this day, am surprised Jerry chose to spend his final days on the shores of lake Canton instead of the banks of the Rio Grande. But outdoors and fishing ran through his veins, no matter where. That was my fondest memory of Jerry. In the latter years my respect for him grew as I watched how he respected his Grandmother, his Sister and his Mother. Let me explain. Grandma Jolly was moving to Muskogee, unable to continue to live alone..We were all sitting in her living room, discussing how to deal with her house and possessions. Each one of us were offering what they’d like to have before calling the Goodwill people. Jerry jumped to his feet and yelled, “I can’t believe you are doing this! She’s not even gone yet!” He then left. Jerry failed to see the practicality of what was being done, but he was ready to stand for her honor. Jerry also had a fondness for his sister. Over the years he’d faithfully call her to “check in”. Finally, Jerry had a respect for Mom. Though they often failed to see eye to eye, Jerry communicated with her regularly during her final years and when she needed financial help, prior to her coming to live with Linda and I, Jerry was faithful to send what he could. That impressed me. I don’t know exactly why Jerry felt he need to end his life. Maybe just getting those old bones up and down the shoreline was too much. But my love for Jerry remains and so do my memories. Again, please use this as an invitation to memorialize Jerry on this site. May God rest his soul.