Dean Reed

(From Parker Mortuary)

Walter “Dean” Reed, age 77, of Seneca, passed away on Friday, March 5, 2021 at Freeman West in Joplin.

Walter D. Reed, or Dean as known by all friends and family, son of the late Walter L. and Crystal (Carter) Reed, was born on August 26, 1943 in Hominy, OK. 

As an infant, Dean’s family moved to Texas. He attended grade school in Skellytown and graduated from White Deer High School. After completing radiology school in Dallas, Dean began his career as a registered X-ray technician. 

On May 5, 1967, Dean united in marriage with his high school sweetheart, Pat Beck, in Dallas and relocated for a short time to Parsons, Kansas. While working at the hospital there, Dean met Dr. Beaty who told him wonderful stories about a neat little town on a lake full of fish in northeast Oklahoma that just happened to need an X-ray Tech. 

In 1968, Dean moved his family to Grove, Oklahoma, becoming Grove General Hospital’s first X-Ray Tech. There they raised their family and made many lifelong friends. He continued his employment at Grove until his retirement as a member of the hospital administrative team. He was an avid outdoors man. He enjoyed fishing, camping, and riding his ATV in the Colorado Rockies.

Survivors include his wife, Pat Reed, of Seneca; three daughters, Tracy Bowzer, of Jay, OK, Monica Kuehlem, and her husband, Henry, of New Braunfels, TX, and Kristy McFarland, and her husband, Tom, of Corona Del Mar, CA; seven grandchildren, Heather, Blake, Hollee, Tori, Madison, Kayla, and Teagan; four great-grandchildren, Jacob, Levi, Brody, and Jerilee; and a host of other family and friends. 

In addition to his parents, Dean was preceded in death by one brother, Edward Leon Reed; and one infant son, Jerry Dean Reed.

Private family services will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Parker Mortuary, Joplin.