Howard Reed Jr.

Departed this world for a better one on August 18, 2011 in his home in Strafford, Mo. Howard was born in Glendale, California on May 9, 1963.

For anyone who knew Big, they knew he came into this life full of personality and parted it with great dignity. Big rarely thought of himself, always working to make the lives of all around him a better place. His children were the sunshine in his life. He suffered from great humility and enjoyed his life. He spent much time working and hated that it took grave illness to force him to spend more time checking off his bucket list. He was an avid hunter and outdoorsman. He leaves this world with a great deal of people who respected and loved him. He will always live in the hearts of his family, friends and expecially his children.

Big attended high school at Central and then followed his fathers footsteps in the plumbing and excavating business. He worked at Lafollette Excavating for 17 years.

He is preceded in death by his father, Howard L. Reed Sr., sister Holly Ferrell and nephew Coen Reed.

He is survived by his wife and bestfriend Janice; his children, Nicky Perkins, Michael Reed, Jenny Stokes and Chance Reed; grandsons, Clay and Case; mother, Jane Reed; sisters, Velvet Shoults and Candiance Clouse; brother-in-laws, Nick Shoults, Michael Clouse and Rusty Ferrell; son-in-laws, Luke Perkins and Jake Stokes; and numerous nephews and nieces. His is also survived by several life long friends, of whom he loved like brothers.

Visitation will be Sunday, August 21st, in Herman Lohmeyer Funeral Home, 500 E. Walnut from 2 to 4 p.m. with a Wake celebration of his life to follow at City Restaurant, Southern Hills Shopping Center on East Sunshine. Funeral will be held on Monday, August 22nd, at 10 a.m. in Herman Lohmeyer Funeral Home with burial to follow in Eastlawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the "Remembering Coen" charity at any Great Southern Bank.

Published in the News-Leader on August 20, 2011