James D. Reed

James D. Reed, 75, passed away July 9. He succumbed to complications from leukemia.

He was the son of Delos Dexter Reed and Evelyn Hester Reed. He was born Feb. 10, 1942, and grew up in Waco. While attending Russellville High School, he played football and baseball. Upon graduating high school in 1960, he entered Florence State University (UNA). Before completing his undergraduate studies, he enlisted in the Alabama National Guard.

At the completion of his military service, he worked as a foreman at US Reduction Co. in Russellville. After working for three years, he chose to leave the company and continue his studies at Florence State. He completed his undergraduate degree in chemistry in 1969.

He applied and was accepted to the University of Alabama Dental Program in the fall of 1970 and completed his DMD in 1974. He started his dental practice in the Edgewood community of Homewood and remained there for 41 years. He was beloved by his patients and staff.

A prolific artist throughout his life, he was always creating, whether it was comic caricatures for his Dental School yearbook or canvases that were displayed in his dental office. He enjoyed traveling the world to such destinations as Kenya, Peru, Chile, Alaska and Lake Tahoe. However, the place he enjoyed most was the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina.

He is survived by his son, Brandon Delos Reed, Atlanta; granddaughter, Olivia Grace Reed, Atlanta; sisters, Mary Jane Cole and husband Daniel Wayne Cole of Morris and Carol Sue Frederick of Spruce Pine; nephews, Daniel Reed Cole of Cullman and David Wayne Cole and wife Karen of Morris; and niece Farah Michele Frederick of Spruce Pine. He was preceded in death by his nephew, Michael Hugh Frederick, Russellville.

Should friends desire, contributions may be sent to the American Cancer Society in memory of Dr. James D. Reed.

The visitation will be at his dental office, 112 Broadway St., Homewood, July 22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call 205-847-1415.