Harold Reed

CANFIELD - Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Canfield Presbyterian Church for Harold D. Reed, 88, who died Thursday morning at home, surrounded by his family.

Harold was born March 5, 1928, in Raccoon, Ind., the son of Robert Lawrence and Opal (Davis) Reed.

Harold graduated from Greencastle High School in 1946, and Purdue University in 1951, with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He entered the Junior Engineering Program with Ohio Edison Company upon graduation, and was drafted into the U.S. Army on Oct. 5, 1951. After basic training at Fort Knox, Ky., he served in the Army Chemical Core' and was stationed "in a top secret installation" at the Pine Bluff Arsenal in Pine Bluff, Ark., where he met Laura, his wife of 63 years.

In 1953, Harold returned to Ohio Edison, and progressed through numerous roles and promotions before retiring as Superintendent of Substations in 1990.

He served as an Elder, a Deacon and a Trustee in the Presbyterian Church. After moving to Canfield in 1973, he became an Elder in the Canfield Presbyterian Church, and was active with the church youth group. He co-chaired the Logos Program, and was a trained Stephen Minister leader. He served for five years on the Committee for the Fourth of July, where he headed the Concession Committee, and was named Grand Marshall of the Canfield 4th of July Parade in 2008.

As an active member of the Canfield Band Parents, he served as vice president and president. He served as vice president and president of the Canfield Rotary, and was twice named a Paul Harris Fellow 1985 and 2014. In June 2002 he received the Rotarian Man of the Year, and the District 6650 "Service Above Self" Award. He had over 26 years of perfect attendance. He served for many years on the Park and Recreation Board for the city of Canfield, and for over six years with Court Appointed Special Advocate for Children (CASA), including president. As Legislative Chair for AARP he worked with the group to send hundreds of boxes to the soldiers in Iraq. In 2009 he received recognition from National AARP for service.

His favorite hobby was woodworking, and many family members and friends treasure the beautiful items he created, including hundreds of wooden crosses. He gave many of his items to charity to be auctioned for their many projects. He and Laura enjoyed travel, and went on cruises to Russia, Alaska, the Mediterranean, Australia, Panama Canal, and many other countries with treasured friends. He received the greatest joy from being with his family and friends.

Harold is survived by his wife, the former Laura James, whom he married Sept. 13, 1953; daughter Teryl (Steve) Flynn of Newtown, Conn.; son Dr. Brian (Michele) Reed of Millcreek, Pa.; brother-in-law Charles F. (Mary) James of Mountain Home, Ark.; two grandchildren, Kathleen Frances Reed and Sarah Amy Reed; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Edith Goshorn, Helen Webster and Lois Ellen Ronk; and a brother, Robert Davis Reed.

Family and friends may call Monday from 3 to 6 p.m. and Tuesday from 10 to 11 a.m., all at the church.

The family has requested that material tributes take the form of donations to the Canfield Rotary Scholarship.

Professional arrangements are being handled by the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Boardman-Canfield Chapel.

Visit www.higgins-reardon.com to send condolences to the family.