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Donald Smith Reed died at his home in Winterville, NC on Wednesday, January 24, 2018 after extended battle with lung cancer. Donald, better known as Don, was born on July 19, 1933 to the late Smith Reed and the late Meryl Blackman Reed of Queens, New York. He attended New York City Public Schools, graduating from Stuyvesant High School in 1951. After high school, he served as a radio operator in the Air Force. His time in the service allowed him to build upon an interest in Amateur Radio, a hobby introduced to him by a neighbor. Upon his return from deployment in Germany, he attended Queens College and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts. While working as a social worker at the Department of Social Service, Don met and married the late Mary Reed. Together they had one son. Later, Don would follow in his father’s footsteps and enter the New York City Fire Department. In 1970, he helped rescue a man and woman from a burning building. In response to the frantic shouts of the man, Don returned to the apartment, and crawled through the smoke and flames to also rescue the couple’s infant and older child. The following year, he proudly accepted the Holy Name Society’s prestigious Maltese Cross Medal in recognition of his distinguished service in the line of duty. In 1972, Don married Marie Jones of Philadelphia, PA. They had one daughter. After retiring from the Fire Department, Don began teaching at a local elementary school. While working for the NYC Board of Education, he attended Long Island University to pursue a Master of Science in Education Technology. This new career path would take him from computer teacher, to teacher trainer, and finally to the position of Technology Coordinator for District 25. In New York, Don was actively involved in the Boy Scouts. He served as a Troop Leader, helping to produce numerous Eagle Scouts, including his own son. He was an avid photographer, passing the skill on to his daughter and grandson. His interest in Amateur Radio operation was one he pursued until illness forced him to stop. While active, he was able to earn recognition for contacting every country in the world, and even spoke to an astronaut in orbit. Don and Marie moved to Winterville, NC in May 2007. He quickly became an active member of the Pitt County Democratic Party and related organizations and served as a precinct captain for several elections. Although Don wore many hats during his life, he was most proud of his role as husband and father. Don is preceded in death by his brother, Dennis “Bill”. Don is survived by his wife of forty-five years, Marie; son, Christopher; daughter, Nina; grandson, Christopher; great-granddaughters, Melody and Harmony; sisters, Linda and Meryl; one niece; a host of cousins and friends.

Tributes

Mr. Donald Smith Reed

July 19, 1933 - January 24, 2018