Charles W. Reed

Our loving husband, father, “Grandpa” and “Great-Grandpa” Charles William Reed, age 89, is now reunited with his Lord and Savior, passing away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on July 15, 2017.  Charles was born on August 19, 1927 in Big Spring, Texas to Allen Reed and Emma Vada Lowrey Reed. Charles married his sweetheart, the love of his life, Mary Elizabeth Quirl on July 3, 1947 after a three month courtship.  They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary with family just a few weeks ago.  Charles graduated from Forest Avenue High School in Dallas, Texas, in January, 1944 and proudly served his country in the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army, and the U.S. Navy.  He received his college education from Southern Methodist University, a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in 1948, and a Master of Science in Chemistry in 1956.  He was employed as an Industrial Hygiene Engineering Manager at Employers Insurance of Texas for over 40 years.  He was a Safety Professional Engineer and a past President of the American Industrial Hygiene Association.  Charles was a faithful, longtime member of the First United Methodist Church in DeSoto, serving the church through the years as a choir director, Sunday School teacher, and in multiple leadership and committee roles.  He enjoyed transcribing braille for the Library of the Blind. Charles was a devoted, caring father to their three daughters, and had a great sense of humor (which came in handy many times while raising their girls).  He loved to laugh, tease and tell silly jokes.  He also loved to sing throughout the house (sometimes the words were right and sometimes he created his own funny songs on the spot).  He supported, cheered and drove the family van to EVERY event possible for their daughters and grandchildren, which included the DeSoto Eagles (for 11 relentless years), the Frisco Raccoons, the Arkadelphia Badgers, and the PCA Lions.  Charles was a dedicated member of the DeSoto Rotary Club, serving as President and receiving the Paul Harris Fellow award.  He enjoyed genealogy research and was honored to be a member of the Lancaster Genealogical Society and Sons of the American Revolution.  In his later years, he enjoyed and appreciated his Parkinson’s Support Group.  Charles was known around town as a loyal, encouraging friend who warmly shared his concern for others as he “dropped in” at local stores, Charlie’s for snacks, Wiseman’s for tools or the donut shop for spoiling grandchildren. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth, his daughter Donna Beth Hays and her husband Danny, daughter Carolyn Suzanne Bowen and her husband Robert, and daughter Mary Denise Armstrong and her husband Larry, his grandchildren Hannah McMillan and husband Scott, J.D. Hays and wife Brittany, Lindsay Armstrong, Whitney McIntosh and husband Joseph, Collin Armstrong, and great-granddaughter Liam Elizabeth McMillan.  He is also survived by his brother Porter Allen Reed and sister Emma Daisy Reed Logan and husband Jimmy, sister-in-law Coleen Quirl Fischer and husband Russ, and many loving cousins, nieces and nephews.  He is preceded in death by his parents, sister-in-law Betty Reed and brother-in-law W.C. Quirl, Jr. and wife Viola. The family will receive friends on Thursday, July 20th, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at West/Hurtt Funeral Home, DeSoto, Texas.The celebration of Charles’ life will be held on Friday, July 21st, at 9:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church of DeSoto, 310 Roaring Springs Drive, DeSoto, Texas.Interment, with Military Honors, will follow at 11:00 a.m. in the Dallas/Ft. Worth National Cemetery, Dallas, Texas.  In lieu of flowers please consider contributing to First United Methodist Church of DeSoto. “Bridge of Tomorrow Endowment Fund”, 310 Roaring Springs, DeSoto, Texas, 75115, or Dallas Area Parkinsonism Society, 6370 LBJ Freeway, Suite 170, Dallas, Texas 75240-6400 or online at:  https://daps.us or to The DeSoto Rotary “Hand Up” Project, or to a charity of your choice.  Thank you. Charles was a Godly man of integrity who will be immeasurably missed by all who knew and loved him. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.”  Col 3:23