Reed Emanuel, 84, passed away at home in Tulsa Tuesday, August 18, 2020. Born in the rock house his father built on Easton Street in Tulsa, OK, he attended Easton Heights Baptist Church, played baseball, and played tenor saxophone in the ‘Daze Band’ at Tulsa Central High School (Class of ’53). Garvin was graduated from the University of Tulsa with a physics degree. He and wife, Karol, then moved to Huntsville, AL, in 1957 where he first worked with the Army Ballistic Missile Agency and the Redstone project. He then worked with Dr. von Braun at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Marshall Space Flight Center where he contributed to the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs and the Hubble Space Telescope. He was nominated Huntsville’s Outstanding Young Man (1961).
Garvin was a charter member and the first Training Union Director at Lakewood Baptist Church. He also served as church deacon, President of the Huntsville Optical Society, and Governor of Alabama District North Civitans. He contributed to various volunteer international mission efforts including work with the Baptist Medical-Dental Fellowship and he has been a long-time member of First Baptist Church, Huntsville, AL.
He enjoyed the outdoors (especially camping), and he earned the Eagle Scout rank. He loved traveling, especially to the Cayman Islands. He was an avid reader, a deep thinker, and he could always find the best deals at yard sales.
Mr. Emanuel was preceded in death by his wife, Karol Rainbolt Emanuel, and his son, Wes Emanuel.
Survivors include son, Rich Emanuel & wife, Renee, of Prattville, AL; daughter, Dana Emanuel, of Springville, TN; forever friend, Glenda Davison, of Tulsa, OK; grandchildren, Major Trey Norton & and wife, Jessica, of Leavenworth, KS, Melissa Barrett & husband, Josh Crowder, of Columbia, SC, TSgt. Alex Emanuel & wife, April, of Wetumpka, AL, and Michael Emanuel & wife, Cassie, of Prattville, AL; and ten great-grandchildren and another one on the way in September.
We are body, soul, and spirit. His body we commit to the earth. His soul and spirit we commit to God. He will be missed.
A brief graveside service celebrating Garvin’s life will be held Saturday, August 29, at 10 a.m. at Huntsville Memory Gardens with Pastor Travis Collins, First Baptist Church, Huntsville, AL, officiating. Arrangements are being handled by Laughlin Service Funeral Home, Inc.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Huntsville (AL) First Baptist Church Community Ministries — Lakewood and/or Eastwood Baptist Church, Tulsa, Oklahoma.
