John "Jack" L. Reed

On May 6, 2023, the world lost a gem of a man. John Livingston Reed, born May 23, 1943, was thoughtful, kind and generous. Jack, as he was known to many of his close friends and family, was born in Camden, New Jersey - the eldest of three sons born to Robert and Marjorie Reed. Jack graduated from the University of Nebraska with his Master’s degree in Philosophy. In Lincoln, he had the great fortune of meeting his loving wife, Helen “Becky” Yocom while both attended the university. They married in November 1968 during Jack’s officer basic training for the Army.

Jack served in the Army for 7 years, with a tour in Vietnam before his honorable discharge from the service as a Captain. Following his Army career, he joined First Command Financial Services (then known as USPA & IRA) as an insurance salesman. Sales was not necessarily his passion - as a philosopher he could see both sides of every scenario. Nevertheless, he always pursued his job without complaint and through his efforts became Director of Insurance Sales. He retired in 2009 after thirty-five years with the company.

In addition to being a dedicated and skilled professional, Jack was a loving and devoted father to his two children, Eric and Danielle “Dani”. During the children’s elementary school years, he worked from home during the daytime while Becky was starting her career in nursing, so that their kids never needed daycare. Jack set his watch alarm to pick up kids after school, and never failed to be available for the tasks that needed to be managed during those daytime hours - doctor and dentist appointments, bailing kids out of the principal’s office, and trying to keep kids entertained and out of trouble until Mom got home. Jack served as a Boy Scout Troop Leader when Eric was in Scouts, and he was equally as comfortable taking Dani and friends to see a movie, or rescuing helpless animals at the behest of his kids and trying to nurse them to health.

Jack was most content to be at home with his family and pets. He enjoyed fishing with Eric, was known to get on a horse to please Dani, took up Square Dancing to make Becky happy, and would give his last bite of supper to one of the dogs or cats if they wanted it. He was generous and had a tender and kind heart for anyone who needed help; but he was most committed to his family.

Jack and Becky celebrated their 54th Anniversary in November 2022, and their love was steadfast. They shared a keen love of animals, especially dogs and cats, and shared their household with a great many over the years. He spent countless hours at the Weatherford Parker County Animal Shelter, walking the dogs who were awaiting adoption and making sure they felt loved.

Jack and Becky became members of the South Main Church of Christ in 2010, and Jack enjoyed Bible studies and working at Neighbors Helping Neighbors, where he was an expert with the box cutter. His other favorite hobbies were reading, target shooting, reloading ammunition, napping, and snacking.

Jack’s calm and quiet presence will be sorely missed by those who knew him. But his memory will remain strong and his legacy carried on by survivors: loving spouse, Becky Reed; son Eric and his wife Christine; daughter Dani and her spouse Alex; grandchildren Adam, David, Stanley and Stella; brothers Andrew and Bruce; as well as beloved in-laws, nieces, and nephews whom he loved and held dear.

A Memorial Service for John "Jack" Livingston Reed will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 13, 2023, at Galbreaith Pickard Funeral Chapel, 913 N. Elm St, Weatherford, Texas 76086.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, May 15, 2023, at DFW National Cemetery, Dallas, Texas.

Jack would have asked for Donations in lieu of flowers:

• Weatherford Parker County Animal Shelter

https://weatherfordtx.gov/15/Animal-Shelter/

• Community Healthcare of Texas

https://www.chot.org/giving