Jeffry Ford Reed passed away on Sept 20, 2014 after a reoccurrence of aggressive melanoma cancer was discovered in April. Jeff spent his final moments sitting on the deck in his backyard, enjoying the warm sunshine and listening to the Huskies football game.


Jeff was born on June 15, 1951 to Ted and Virginia Reed and lived his entire childhood in the same house on the shores of Lake Sammamish. During his senior year at Issaquah High School, he served as the band major, proudly leading his fellow Issaquah musicians in parades and across the football field. After graduating in 1969, Jeff spent the next four years at Central Washington State College (now University), graduating with a degree in business. Jeff is survived by his wife, Carolyn, sons Kevin and Keith, their wives, Caroline and Melissa, and four grandchildren. He also is survived by his sister, Nancy, and her three daughters.


Jeff and Carolyn met through mutual friends at Central who connived to set them up, inviting them both to the same party and then asking Jeff to give Carolyn a ride home. Carolyn's memory of that evening was, "All he did was sit by the stereo wearing headphones (quite bulbous in those days) and changing the records." At the urging of their mutual friends, Jeff continued to pursue Carolyn and later said, "She was such a mystery to me. She was so quiet that I had to keep asking her out to learn a tiny bit more about her each time. They married in October of 1973. After several moves in their early years of marriage, they settled for four years in Olympia, and another four in Port Orchard, until moving to Kent and building the home in which they have lived for thirty years.


Jeff's first few years of employment were spent in retail until he finally found his niche in manufacturing. Working tedious jobs that were physically demanding, he found satisfaction in routine and predictability. Jeff found that this allowed him time and mental energy to pursue his real passion--music. Jeff also spent eight years clowning under the name Sammy Doodles. The make-up was finally retired in order to devote more time to music.


Recent years brought an increased involvement with music groups. Drumming in the church Praise Band as well as practicing, performing, and recording with Erwilian and Unchained were central to Jeff's joy in life. But nothing compares with the joy Jeff had in his family, and most of all, in his Savior.