50th Reunion Picture

Roger Reed, age 71, of Madison, passed into eternity on Thursday, September 15, 2016 at home, surrounded by his family, after a brief period of hospice care. His life will be celebrated at funeral services at 2pm, Monday, September 19, 2016 at West Center Baptist Church, Madison, South Dakota. Burial will follow in Graceland Cemetery, Madison. Pastor Justin DeBerry and Associate Pastor Trevor Schubert will be officiating. His family will welcome guests at Visitation, from 5pm to 7pm, Sunday, September 18, 2016 at Ellsworth Funeral Home, Madison. 

Roger A. Reed was born Sept. 18, 1944, in Wichita, KS, to Jewell and Una (Brown) Reed. He graduated from Wichita West HS and then attended Oklahoma Baptist University, receiving a Bachelor's degree. While at OBU, he met the love of his life, Anna Joy Benton, and they were married on July 1, 1967, in Independence, KS. He went on to receive his Master's degree at Wichita State University. They moved to Madison, SD, in 1969, where he became a professor at General Beadle State College (now Dakota State University). He received his Ph.D. in Sociology from South Dakota State University in 1980. He retired from full-time teaching in 2005, retired again from part-time teaching in 2015, and continued as an active supporter and volunteer with Dakota State Trojan Athletics. He was an active member of West Center Baptist Church, a founding member of the ECCO Board, a member of the Madison Kiwanis Club, and a past member of the North American Baptist Seminary Board (Sioux Falls Seminary).

Roger was preceded in death by his parents; step-mother, Ruth; one brother, Bob; and one step-sister, Phyllis Sanders.

Those continuing his legacy of Christ's love are: his wife, Joy of Madison, SD; two daughters: Shan Reed of Osaka, Japan; Shonda (Paul) Mobley of Sioux Falls, SD; a brother: Johnnie (Frankie) Reed of Snellville, GA; a step-sister: Sandra (Dennis) Boord of Claremore, OK; a sister-in-law: Carol Reed of Wichita, KS; dear family friends, Tom and Kim Jones of Madison, SD; and three 'adopted' grandchildren: Alyssa, Andrew, and Abigale Jones; as well as many nieces, nephews, family, and friends. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.ellsworthfh.com

Published in The Argus Leader on Sept. 17, 2016