Obituary of John Franklin Reed

John F. “Skeeter” Reed, 86, of Harrodsburg, husband of Janet Catlett Gritton Reed, died June 16, 2019. He was born John Franklin Skeeters, February 20, 1933, in Hardin Co. Memorial Hospital, Elizabethtown, KY, and lived in the Christian Children’s Home, Louisville. In 1942, John Skeeters was adopted by Maurice and Naomi Patterson Reed and moved to Harrodsburg. In 1951, Skeeter joined the U.S. Army Air Corps and was stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska. He returned home to Harrodsburg to raise his family where he owned and operated several businesses: Reed’s Texaco, Gateway Supermarket, Mr. Kwik and others. In 1968, Reed formed a business partnership with William Dedman which lasted 50 years until Dedman’s passing in 2018. He was a member of Harrodsburg Baptist Church and loved the people of his community. He enjoyed a purposeful life of hard work and helping others.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 33 years, Phyllis Stephenson Reed in 1984; dear family friend Garnetta Meaux in 2010, and half sister, Elaine Reed Cox Settles. A devoted father leaves a large close knit family of 4 children; Kathie (Dr. Richard M.) Dartt, Jeanne (Dr. Stephen) Pinkston, Stephen (Missy) Reed, and Franklin (Robin) Reed; 10 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, 2 step-children; Nicki (Greg) Coker, and Nelson Gritton, and 3 step-grandchildren; and cousins Allen Whitenack, and Kay Mayes.

Funeral services will be 1 PM Wed., June 19, 2019, at the Harrodsburg Baptist Church by Terry Morrison and Daryl Catlett.  A private burial will follow. Visitation will be 10 AM until the hour of service on Wednesday at the church.

Pallbearers are:  Myron Dartt, John Pinkston, Richard Dartt, Phillip Reed, Will Coker, Nelson Reed Gritton II and Micah Dartt. 

Memorials are suggested to: Harrodsburg Baptist Church, 312 South Main Street, Harrodsburg, KY 40330, or Harrodsburg Community Church, 1501 Danville Road, Harrodsburg, KY 40330

Arrangements by Ransdell Funeral Chapel where expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.ransdellfuneralchapel.com.