Victor (Vic) H. Reed

Victor (Vic) H. Reed was born in Norton County, KS on December 14, 1916, to George Harrison (Hal) Reed and Bertha Belle (Bryant) Reed. At age 4, the family moved to Cahone, Colorado, near Dove Creek.
Victor attended various elementary schools on the Western Slope, including the Smuggler Mine School and Horsefly School where Bertha taught. Victor attended Olathe High School and graduated in 1935. Immediately after graduation he went to work herding sheep near Norwood and later sheared sheep with his brother George.
A leader in the Colorado Conservation Corp program from 1937-38, Victor enlisted in the Army in 1942 at age 24. Victor and his 3 brothers all served concurrently in the Army during WWII, earning his mother the Emblem of Honor with 4 stars. Victor served as a gunner, an Artillery Mechanic (Anti-Aircraft) & a Fire Control Electrician (Anti-aircraft). Victor spent time in Puerto Rico (received American Theater Ribbon), England, in France and Germany and was awarded a Bronze Star Medal and two Battle Stars for his meritorious service. Victor was Honorably Discharged October 11th 1945. Due to his universal blood type, and selfless nature, Victor donated blood regularly from the 1940’s to the 1970’s; dropping what he was doing, day or night, to go donate. Victor also participated in numerous military funerals and trained new National Guard recruits.
On October 1st, 1948, Victor married Enid Spickelmier at the Montrose Courthouse. For their honeymoon, Victor took Enid deer hunting. October 1st, 2018, marks Victor and Enid’s 70th Anniversary.
During his working years, Victor owned his own heating and sheet metal business, working on many of the houses in the Montrose Valley and installing air conditioning in the Montrose High School cafeteria. Victor ran cattle in the Cimarron, Crested Butte and Horsefly areas for over sixty years past his 90th birthday. After his retirement, Victor dedicated his time to a small ranch outside of Olathe, where he and Enid made their home.
Proceeded in death by parents Hal and Bertha, 3 brothers, George (Dale), Howard & Clyde Reed, daughter Donna Evans and one grandson, Todd Evans. Survived by wife Enid, sons Rex (wife Becky) and Larry (wife Teri) and daughter Vicki, son-in-law Bob Evans and 8 grandchildren: Aaron, Andrew, Amy, James, Dustin (wife Ashley) and Jim (wife Juanita) Ken & Tom Evans. Victor was blessed with eight great grandchildren, whom he adored.
Victor was a member of the Montrose County Fair Board for 25 years, served as a past Master in the Spring Creek Grange, and was active in the Montrose chapter of Toastmasters International, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Uncompahgre Valley Cattleman’s Association & the Farm Bureau.
After a long and courageous battle with antiquity, Victor peacefully passed away at the Willow Tree Care Center in Delta on August 22nd, 2018. December 14th, 2018 would have marked Victor’s 102nd birthday. Victor was a great friend, mentor, business partner, father, grandfather and great grandfather and will be missed dearly by all.
There will be a Memorial Service in honor of Victor Reed’s life on Monday, October 1, 2018 at 3:00 P.M. at Crippin Funeral Home Chapel. Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory in Montrose is assisting the family.