Fredrick Reed

Fredrick Lawrence (Larry) Reed, age 87, passed away Saturday, May 21, 2022, at his home in Disputanta, Va.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Hosea Glen Reed (Virginia) and Allie Nutt Hodgen (Ernie); his sisters, Lorraine Reed Lardo and Etta Reed Hurley; and his brothers, Hosea Glen Reed and Jack Ferrell Reed.

Larry was born in December 1934 on Hardbarger Run in Ritchie County, WV.  After graduating from Harrisville High School, he enlisted in the Army and served in the Third Infantry Division.  Receiving an honorable discharge, he then attended Glenville State College on the GI Bill where he played quarterback on the football team and earned his teaching degree.  He later went on to earn his master’s in educational administration from Virginia State College.  While at Glenville he met the love of his life, Doralene D. Bell, who eventually became his wife.

He started his teaching career in a one room school in West Virginia.  He and Doralene later moved to Virginia where Larry taught chemistry at Colonial Heights High School for over 30 years. He was loved for his sense of humor and caring personality.

He enjoyed playing basketball, metal detecting for relics, restoring antique military vehicles and spending time with his large family.  He loved working with his hands and fixing things with whatever he had available – so much so that his family nicknamed him “MacGyver”.  Though he lived most of his life in Virginia, he always considered himself a proud West Virginian.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Doralene B. Reed and their six children:  Jeanelle Knowles (John), Annetta Riekel (Thom), Danita Gittman (Mike Homer), Mitchell Reed (Robin), Randall Reed (Lisa), and Daniel Reed (Teresa Roberts).

He is also survived by 16 grandchildren:  Lane, Lindley, and Kylie Riekel; Rachel, Ryan, and Tara Gittman; Jennifer Homer Davis; Michael and Brooke Reed; Eric, Chad, and Cory Wiggins; Amanda, Samantha, Cory, and Brady Reed; plus 15 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 26, 2022 at the Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory, 2033 Boulevard, Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834 with interment to follow at Southlawn Memorial Park, S. Prince George.  Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 25, 2022.

Donations to his memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society . Online condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com .