Roy Earl Reed, Sr.

BROWNSVILLE, TX. – Today, we acknowledge and celebrate the passing of one of mankind’s giants, Roy Earl Reed Sr. of Brownsville, Texas, in the comfort of and surrounded by his family on Sunday, December 5, 2021. Roy was a Renaissance Man. As, first and foremost, a family man, Roy was also a rancher and international businessman. Roy was a man who was as comfortable in a suit, as he was in cowboy boots, jeans, and a hat.

Roy Earl Reed Sr. was born on September 11, 1928, in Brownsville, Texas to Capt. Wallace L. Reed and Ada Egly Reed. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers: Howard, Wallace, Harold, Albert WWII POW, and Forrest WWII Okinawa. He was also preceded in death by his only sister, Sunshine VanHolsbeke, and by his loving wife of 67 years, Jo Anne Glenn Reed, on September 23, 2021.

Our family takes comfort in knowing that Roy was a born-again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior. He therefore now and forever more enjoys the blessings and reward of Heaven, in the presence of his Lord and of all that have gone before him.

Roy and Jo Anne Glenn of Brownsville were married in July 1955. Roy and Jo Anne have five children: Randy and his wife Cheryl of Friendswood, Roy Jr. and his wife Cathy of Richardson, Jayne and her husband John of Georgetown, Cindy and her husband Herb of Wimberley, and Roman and his wife Sally of Bellaire. Roy is also survived by his sixteen cherished grandchildren: Jake, April, David, Joseph, Natalie, Summer, Reagan, Samuel, Gastón, Anne Marie, Christopher, Molly, Matthew, Travis, Suzanna, and Forrest, together with their spouses and many great-grandchildren. Roy is also survived by many nieces and nephews and a most amazing group of friends from all over the world.

After graduating from Texas A&M University, Roy served in the U.S. Army through the Korean War and was honorably discharged afterwards. At the age of 25, he married his high school sweetheart Jo Anne and shortly thereafter moved to Mexico to join his older brother Howard. He and Howard worked land and cattle investments in Mexico. He and Howard remained business associates and great loyal friends for life. Ranching continued to be his lifelong passion. As such, he was renowned as a true cattleman.

Roy loved his family deeply and extended that love to his many friends. Throughout his life, he revealed what it meant to live. Roy was a man who lived by his word. Words like respect, integrity, trust, friendship, family, reputation, honesty and loyalty. These words were his bond and they governed every day of his life. These words and their true meaning are his legacy.

Roy was a great life teacher and a master storyteller. He was known for having an incredible almost photographic memory, his modesty, kindness, honor, optimism and commitment to helping others that imbued his life. He was also a silent philanthropist. Over the decades, Roy contributed, as he was able, in small ways, to various philanthropic endeavors, especially the Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets, all without personal attribution. At the end of the day, everyone he touched during his life is better for having had the privilege to have known and loved him. Few men have led such a life. Fewer men will leave such a legacy. No man will ever Fill his Boots.

Roy Reed was revered by all and will be remembered by many. He will be missed. Vaya con Dios nuestro padre, nuestro tio, nuestro abuelo y nuestro amigo. Te queremos para siempre! His grandsons will handle the processional and casket. Leading the casket processional will be Travis Reed. The pallbearers will be Jake Reed, Reagan Davis, Christopher Mills, Joseph Reed, David Reed, Samuel Davis, Matthew Mills, and Forrest Reed. Gaston Davis will be rear guard for the casket.

Honorary pallbearers are his beloved nephews Howard V. Reed Jr., Forrest H. Reed, and Reggie VanHolsbeke (War Veteran).

A Graveside Service with military honors will be held at eleven o’clock in the morning on Monday, the 13th of December 2021 at Buena Vista Burial Park, 5 McDavitt Boulevard, Brownsville.

In lieu of floral arrangements and customary remembrances, the family requests donations in his memory may be made to Texas A&M University’s Corps of Cadets, or to the charity of your choice.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Spanish Meadows Home in Brownsville for their excellent care and compassion during his stay there and final days.

Memories of Roy may be shared at www.darlingmouser.com.

Personalized funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home at 945 Palm Boulevard in Brownsville, Texas 78520, (956) 546-7111.