(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)Forrest Neal Reed of Joplin, MO went to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday October 22, 2025, at the age of 80 after a brief battle with cancer.
Forrest, son of Lewis and Ona (Yeager Reed), was born February 10, 1945, in Konawa, OK. Forrest was raised with his 4 siblings in Konawa and graduated from Konawa High School.
Forrest attended college at Oklahoma Christian College, Edmond, OK. He was united in marriage to Christine Louise Claxton on March 27, 1964, while they were both students at OCC.
Forrest set many school records in 1-mile and 2-mile relay events at Oklahoma Christian while earning his Bachelor of Science in Education, some of which stood in place for 30 years. Forrest and Christine moved to Joplin in July of 1967. He later earned his Masters of Science in Mathematics degree from Pittsburg State University.
Mr. Reed was a coach and a teacher of mathematics and computer applications at Memorial High School in Joplin, MO from 1968-1985. He was on the coaching staff of the 1978 class 3A Football State Champion team. He was also head coach of the Class 3A Track Championship team in 1976-77. He led 16 student-athletes to earn State Championships as head coach. Coach Reed considered his greatest accomplishment of coaching the lifelong friendships he developed with his former student-athletes.
Forrest opened his own business, Computerland, after Memorial High School closed in ‘85. It was one of the first stores for Apple home computers. He also developed software for several local businesses during this time.
Forrest began working at Eagle Picher Technologies, in Joplin, MO in 1992, where he held several different management positions. He held a senior staff position as the Director of Quality Assurance for Defense and Aerospace applications for his final 10 years at Eagle Picher. Forrest continued to do consulting for NASA for several years following his retirement.
He and Christine were members of Mt Hope Church of Christ (formerly 4th and Forest) since 1967. Forrest served as a Deacon, an Elder, and, most recently, as the Ministry Leader of Guest Services. Those that knew Forrest would attest his strongest devotion was to demonstrate a Christian spirit of truth, honesty and trustworthiness in all aspects of his life. They would know of his willingness to share the joy of hope in Jesus.
Mr. Reed was a coach and a teacher of mathematics and computer applications at Memorial High School in Joplin, MO from 1968-1985. He was on the coaching staff of the 1978 class 3A Football State Champion team. He was also head coach of the Class 3A Track Championship team in 1976-77. He led 16 student-athletes to earn State Championships as head coach. Coach Reed considered his greatest accomplishment of coaching the lifelong friendships he developed with his former student-athletes.
Forrest opened his own business, Computerland, after Memorial High School closed in ‘85. It was one of the first stores for Apple home computers. He also developed software for several local businesses during this time.
Forrest began working at Eagle Picher Technologies, in Joplin, MO in 1992, where he held several different management positions. He held a senior staff position as the Director of Quality Assurance for Defense and Aerospace applications for his final 10 years at Eagle Picher. Forrest continued to do consulting for NASA for several years following his retirement.
He and Christine were members of Mt Hope Church of Christ (formerly 4th and Forest) since 1967. Forrest served as a Deacon, an Elder, and, most recently, as the Ministry Leader of Guest Services. Those that knew Forrest would attest his strongest devotion was to demonstrate a Christian spirit of truth, honesty and trustworthiness in all aspects of his life. They would know of his willingness to share the joy of hope in Jesus.
Forrest is survived by his 3 children; Dr. Robin Meyer and her husband Dr. Jeff Meyer, Sioux Falls, SD; Russell Neal Reed and his partner Hollie Dvorack, Joplin, MO; Garrett Claxton Reed and his wife Zoë (Childress) Reed, St Louis, MO; and his 4 grandchildren Jackson Jeffry Meyer, Audrey Christine Meyer, Bennett Claxton Reed and Rosalyn Maria Reed. His brother Victor Reed, Norcross, GA; a sister Norma Mansur of Chattanooga, TN; brother-in-law Dr. Carl Claxton and his wife Linda of Springfield, MO also survive him. Forrest is preceded in death by his wife Christine Louise (Claxton) Reed, married 55 years and sisters Evelyn Reed and Janet Harrington.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 1, 10:00 am at Mt Hope Church of Christ with burial to follow at Ozark Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Oct 31 from 4:00-6:00 at Mason-Woodard Chapel in Joplin.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Oklahoma Christian College Track Team in care of the mortuary.
Thanks Coach Reed. You were one of the very best! Thank you for your help and guidance. Rick Ham Memorial class of 1974.
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