James Leroy Reed

James Leroy Reed was born on April 15, 1949 in Corvallis, Oregon to James and Betty Reed. Known as Jim to his friends and Leroy to his family, he grew up in Corvallis as the oldest of four children. He attended Garfield Elementary School and Highland View Middle School, and after the family moved to Albany he completed 8th grade at Memorial Middle School. He graduated from Albany Union High School in 1968, where he participated in Football and Track. After graduation, Jim enlisted in the United States Navy, and served on the USS Dupont DD-941 from 1969-1972. The Navy allowed him to see part of the world (and take many photos of the sunset), including the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean. It also took him to Boston, Massachusetts where he met Barbara Faragher, the love of his life. They were married on June 24, 1972 in Wollaston, Massachusetts, and resided in Quincy, Massachusetts after Jim received an honorable discharge from the Navy. There he worked at Data Printer in Cambridge. While still in Massachusetts, Jim and Barb welcomed their first child, Andrea (Andi). A few months later they moved across the country, back to Albany, Oregon where he worked at Evanite Hardboard in Corvallis until it closed. Jim and Barb purchased a home in Corvallis a few months after the cross-country move, and brought home their second child, Jennifer (Jen). As his girls grew up, Jim taught them how to camp and fish, and attended all of their activities. He especially enjoyed attending their sporting events. Family was most important to him and he instilled that belief in his daughters. The highlight of his life was when he became Papa to his four grandchildren. He spent their younger years reading them stories, building legos, playing games with them, and being an ever-ready audience for their stories and jokes. As they got older, he was in the front row of their sporting events, music concerts and 4-H shows. He was there supporting them as often as he could, and was so incredibly proud of them. And in return, they adored their Papa. Jim enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping. He rooted for his Boston teams, and loved a good car or horse race on TV. He loved his dogs and watching the birds in the yard. And he especially loved spending time with his family. Jim passed away on June 2, 2024 after a year-long illness. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Barbara of Corvallis, and his daughters: Andrea Reed Foley of Sweet Home and Jennifer (Shannon) Reed of Depoe Bay. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Caden Foley, Finnian Reed, Devyn Foley and Erynn Foley; his mother, Betty Reed of Lebanon, his sister, Marie (Matt) Blanshan of Lebanon, brothers Ronald Reed of Albany and Daniel Reed of Sun River, sister-in-law Judy (Scott) Babish of Fuquay Varina, NC, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his beloved poodle mix, Daisy. He was preceded in death by his father, James Reed, and parents-in-law, Ivy Faragher, George Faragher and Harriet Faragher. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Central Coast Soccer Association in Newport Oregon, Linn County 4-H in Albany, Oregon, or a charity of your choice. Jim’s family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the nurses, CNAs, doctors and others who cared for Jim at Good Samaritan Hospital and the Corvallis Manor over the past year. The kindness, care, and love Jim received was of great comfort. There will be a memorial service at 11am on Friday, June 14 at McHenry Funeral Home in Corvallis. A coffee-hour reception will follow. Please share your thoughts and memories for the family at www.McHenryFuneralHome.com.

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James Leroy Reed

April 15, 1949 - June 2, 2024