John Irving Reed died at Ochsner’s Medical Center in New Orleans on December 29, 2020. He was 76 years old.
John, the son of Dr. B. Rodney Reed and Marion Irving Reed, was born in Eunice on November 25, 1944.
A graduate of Eunice High School Class of 1962, he received his B.S. degree in Animal Science from USL.
In 1968, he married Alma Brunson of Eunice. They were the parents of four children: Sean Reed of Montgomery, Alabama; Valerie Reed Jumonville of Milton, Louisiana, Van Reed, and Camille Reed, both of Eunice. His grandchildren are Ian Reed, Grace Reed, Abigail Jumonville, and Sydney Jumonville. Joseph Jumonville is his son-in-law.
John was the president of Reedwood, Inc. and former manager of the T. Reed Estate Farms. He served as Jaycee President in the early 1980s and was an avid fan of showing animals for 4-H, an activity his children enjoyed.
One of Johnny’s favorite activities was to cook Cajun food for the demonstrations at the Jean Lafitte Cajun Cultural Center.
He was a natural teacher, always happy to explain and demonstrate. He loved taking part in Civil War reenactments at sites across the state and was a member of an artillery unit that fired cannons.
He was awarded the Eunice Rotary Club Citizen of the Year in 1981 for his work with the Eunice Boy Scouts.
A private graveside ceremony will be held with Fr. Sonny Brown officiating.