Our Sweet Grandpa Reed.
Last weekend, on September 7th, 2013, Grandpa Reed passed away. He was one day shy of turning 88 years old and had lived an amazing life. We were at the hospital, he was surrounded by his family and our dear Grandma, his sweetheart, held his hand.
Grandpa had a remarkable life. He was a convert to the church (which I personally LOVE) he met Grandma on a blind date and said he knew that there was something really special about her.
Grandpa's Funeral was absolutely amazing. It was beautiful and an amazing tribute to Grandpa.
Our Uncle Ken (Grandpa's Son) had given a talk, a biography of Grandpa's life and it was absolutely beautiful. A record of Grandpa, this is so important to us. This is Brian's Grandpa, our Grandpa, and this is his story which I took directly out of Uncle Ken's talk:
"Lorne Herbert Reed was born in a small rural hospital in Canora Saskatchewan on September 8th, 1925. He was the 5th and youngest child. It was on his parents farm, located 25 miles north of Canora, that the Reed children spent their formative years. Four year old Lorne, defied death when he fell 30 feet into a water filled well. His older brother Clifford jumped in after him and heroically held him above water until further help arrived. Just days after this, young Lorne became deathly ill with Scarlett fever but was tirelessly nourished back to health by his mother. My Dad sometimes wondered if this was why his mother was so overprotective of him throughout his youth. It was quite cute, even when they first moved to Regina she hired the biggest, toughest kid on the block to be his protector from all the other kids. That was true motherly instincts.
Things became difficult for the family, when in 1928, his Father contacted tuberculosis and was sent to a sanatorium. The Great Depression hit Saskatchewan hard and the Family was forced to move to Regina in the summer of 1930. Eventually the family was forced to go on welfare, or relief as it was then called. Both of Lorne's older brother's left high school and home to find work. My Dad cant remember a time growing up when they didn't live on Relief vouchers. Through the years, young Lorne hated taking these vouches to pick up groceries and tells of being motivated to get off of Relief as soon as possible. It was here in Regina that his mother recalled walking Lorne to register him on the first day of school. She tells of her 5 year old son saying "Mom, I don't know why you bring me here... I don't know the slightest thing about algebra!" That was obviously because of his two older brothers that had obviously talked about school at home.
Lorne was blessed with a keen mind and school came easy to him. He skipped grade 4 and at age 13 he was awarded a scholarship that enabled him to attend Scott Collegiate High School in Regina. Lorne's teacher was quoted at the awards ceremony as saying "Lorne reasoned things out for himself, on the playground he showed a fine spirit of cooperation. He read newspapers and magazines and on most public events, his judgements were as wise as those of the average person much older." The practise back then was to seek pupils in accordance with their grades and there wasn't many classrooms that my Father was in were he didn't sit in seat number 1. It was always Dad's goal to maintain that position as well even though he was one year younger than most of his fellow students.
As a teenager in the early years of World War Two, Lorne was inclined to serve his country as his older brothers had however, about that time, the government came out with a scholarship program that made it possible for high school graduates with exceptional scholastic ability and financial need to attend university. This was a great opportunity for my Dad as he had never remotely considered that he would be given the opportunity to further his education. Like many, Dad was scheduled to go into the army in 1946. He attended the University of Saskatchewan from 1942 to 1947 and received a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics and a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Lorne writes about not being inclined to participate in the drinking and other indiscretions that were part of that fraternity atmosphere.
Soon after graduating, he found himself working with a seismic crew with Canadian Golf Oil in Cardston Alberta. With several other men on the crew, he took up residence in the home of a Mormon family and took advantage of their invitation to attend church meetings and associate with other young people. He met his future wife, on a blind date arranged by her sister, Audrey. The were married on February 26th, 1949. Soon after, he was baptized and then later sealed for time and all eternity in the Cardston Alberta Temple with his sweetheart. As the years past, their little family grew. Tragedy struck however on June 27th, 1958, of this my father wrote "Our family was called to bear the greatest burden that we could have conceived. The death of our three children in an automobile accident. Loretta and Brian died instantly, and Kathryn the following day. We believe that it was a miracle through temple blessing given one month earlier that their little brother, David Jerome, that they would have enjoyed so much, was born in normal health and on November 11, 1958 as their mother, along with their father survived the accident. There were nearly 1000 people at that funeral in the Calgary stake centre, (which by the way is this very building.. that was 55 years ago) and it was reported that the funeral procession was the longest in the history of Calgary."
Mom & Dad, after this, were blessed with 5 children in 7 years. Dad always doted on his children and was truly grateful for what he referred to as "blessings". We have many choice memories of our Dad through the years and he has always worked hard to provide for us. Dad loved our Mother. Dad was always trying to please Mother in any way he could. In 1966, they transformed a school bus into a camper, complete with kitchen and shower. This was long before the days of RV's. The new and approved version, appeared the following year to more fully reflect mom's wishes. There is no better planner on this earth, then my mother when it comes to a project. So that second bus was a true testament to how much my Father loved her.
...Father'a and sons campouts were always a standout in this bus as well, often times, Dad would be a surrogate Dad for many of those young men that did not have one. He was very sensitive to the needs of everyone that he came into contact with. Dad could strike a conversation up with anybody, anytime and anyplace. He genuinely wanted to know where you were from and what you represented. He did care deeply about making this world a better place.
My father was one of the finest example of true service. He was always ready to help anyone out. Dad served tirelessly in every church calling that he received, from young mens president to high councillor to being a councillor in the mission presidency. What I do however remember the most is Dad serving as Bishop in the willow park ward in the 1970s. He always brought out the best in those around him and truly did champion the under-dog. Dad had a strong testimony of the gospel and was never afraid to share that with others. He was a great missionary. I feel that Dad's entire life was one extended mission.
In 1977, Mom & Dad purchased a beautiful, wonderful cabin on Lake Blaine. Dad was still serving as Bishop and we enjoyed our off times in his absence as he felt it necessary to stay in Calgary. On one particular occasion when he did come down to the cabin, he became responsible for filling the boat up with gas and as he went over to the resort, we had an account that we would just charge our gas to and he asked the attendant there "you know, we must be your best clients" that attendant kind of looked at him with a puzzled look shook his head and said "oh no, the Reeds are." Little did he realize, this WAS Mr. Reed and that he paid the bills. We enjoyed several vacations and Christmas' together down at the cabin.
Dad was successful in his career and displayed an entrepreneurial spirit as he built up his oil and gas company.. Lorne H. Reed and Associates. He was involved as a pioneer in seismic in the arctic ice.
Dad had a love of music, from singing in the ward choir to less formal performances at our family get-togethers. Dad had a song for every situation that would make us laugh. Dad's sense of humour was second to none.
Dad loved Mom's cooking. Butter, cream and sugar were staples at any meal. We all laughed at his habit of putting butter on everything, including cookies!
As all of you know my Mom is the ultimate hostess. On many occasions after enjoying another of Mother's unbelievable spreads we were treated to a Grandpa Discourse on how grateful he was for his sweetheart and eternal companion and in his words "his outstanding posterity". He loved to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with his Family and Friends whenever the opportunity afforded itself. Last week, Dad had a bad fall that caused a head injury. He was taken to the Foothills Trauma Centre where he was stabilized. We spent four wonderful days with Dad, fully expecting him to soon come home. In the early morning hours this past Saturday (September 7th) Dad unexpectedly passed away.
He was able to commit one last act of service here on this earth, in donating his kidneys and a liver to three different recipients. Dad will certainly be missed by so very many".
Thank you so much Uncle Ken for saying everything so perfectly. What an amazing record to have, to cherish and to always remember through each generation.
Grandpa was so special to us, to me. Every time I saw him, he would grab my hand so tightly and tell me how special I was and how lucky Brian was to have me. Grandma told us on the day Grandpa passed away that she felt calm, and said that they were now in the "eternity part of their marriage" as tears flowed down her cheeks she looked at her family and said "make sure you live worthily to receive the blessings of eternal marriage". In that one moment, my testimony of eternal marriage and the plan of salvation felt so clear.
We are so blessed to have her as a Grandmother. These two were married for 64 years. He tucked her into bed every night. And when we were around them you could truly see the incredible amount of love they shared. I am so thankful for their example to us. They are an incredible pair!
We love you so much Grandpa, for all you are and all the lovely life lessons you taught to us before you left this earth. We are so greatful to be apart of your eternal family.
