Michael David Reed, 58, of Ohatchee, Alabama, and formerly of Marion, Ohio, passed from metastatic NSCLC lung cancer into his heavenly Father’s arms in the early morning hours of Monday, January 9, 2023. Mike was born November 15, 1964, to David Alan Reed and Carol Ann (Trout) Reed. He was in the law enforcement program at Tri-Rivers Joint Vocational School, Marion, Ohio and graduated from Mt. Gilead High School, Mt. Gilead, Ohio, in the class of 1983. Mike served his country in the United States Marine Corp. from 1983-1987, where he worked with Hawk Missiles for the Third Land Division out of Cherry Point, North Carolina. Afterwards, Mike worked for Hudson Meats, Columbus, Ohio, and Continental Hydraulic Hose in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, before becoming a correction officer for the State of Ohio at the Marion Correctional Institution, Marion, Ohio, where he was employed for 31 years until his retirement in May 2021. White at MCI, Mike was a certified Remington, Ruger and Smith and Wesson armorer. It was there he met and married the love of his life, Peggy Jane (Millisor) Reed, whom he married on September 8, 1992, in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Mike was a life member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge 234, Nevada, Ohio; he held many seats and at the time of the closing of the Charles H. Hull Lodge 195, Mt. Gilead, Ohio, was serving as its chancellor commander.
Mike greatly enjoyed sharpening knives, working on guns and shooting sports; his first date with Peggy was attending the Medina County Fairgrounds gun show. Mike loved music and attended numerous heavy metal concerts; he additionally enjoyed classical music and played the drums and guitar, both electric and acoustic. Weekends, Mike could be found barbequing, smoking meats, or trying new recipes in the kitchen. When not cooking, he and Peggy could be found touring Ohio via his Harley motorcycle and visiting new restaurants and microbreweries. Mike followed Formula 1, Indy car and AMA Superbike racing, often spending “bike week” at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course near Lexington, Ohio. Mike was an avid dog lover and had numerous boxers – Bandit, Beavis, and Boogher; American bull dogs – Rabble Rouser, Harley and Gracee; and a dogue de Bordeaux – Brea. Mike gamed having played Everquest, Flight Simulator, World of Warcraft, Rift, Diablo, Farm Simulator and World of Warships.
Mike is survived by his wife of thirty years, Peggy Jane Reed, Ohatchee, Al., and formerly of Marion, Oh.; his father, David Alan Reed, N. Ft. Myers, Fl.; a sister, Cheryl Ann (Tony) Jimenez and nephews Matthew and Samuel, Boaz, Al.; uncles, John (Marcia) Reed, Lakeland, Fl.; Bill (Wilma) Reed, Mt. Gilead, Oh., and their children Pam Reed, Columbus, Oh., and Jim Reed, Powell, Oh.; Robert (Gloria) Trout, Caledonia, Oh., and their children, Ted Trout, Caledonia, Oh., and John Trout, Galion, Oh.; and aunt, Bonnie (Jimmy) Cowling, Jacksonville, Fl., and their son Jack (Lisa), Cove Bay, Tx.; and lifelong friend Bruce E. Smith, Mt. Gilead, Oh., with whom Mike and Peggy spent Sunday’s for dinner with the entire Harry and Betty Smith family.
Mike was preceded in death by his mother, Carol Ann Reed; grandparents, David and Betty Reed and Robert and Dorothy Trout; and a cousin, Jimmy Cowling.
To honor Mike’s wishes, he was cremated. A Celebration of Life and sharing of “Mike” tales will be held later in the spring or early summer in Marion, Ohio.
The family would like to express their sincerest appreciation for the prompt and wonderful care Mike received from Piedmont Emergency Rescue Squad; Ascension St. Vincent St. Clair emergency department; surgeon Elizabeth J. Liptrap, MD, all the doctors, nurses, and patient care technicians on the 8th floor of the Neuroscience ICU of UAB Hospital, Birmingham; Dr. D. Hunter Boggs and the UAB radiology team; Lea and the Comfort Care Home Health Team, Gadsden, Al., for Mike’s physical and occupational therapy; Dr. Alberto Echeverri for Mike’s vascular access procedure; Dr. Elquis Castillo and staff at the Hematology and Oncology Associates of Alabama, Gadsden, Al.; emergency room staff at Gadsden, Regional Medical Center, Gadsden, Al.; Dr. Hemant K. Sinha and the emergency department staff at Riverview Regional Medical Center, Gadsden, Al.; and Amanda, Misty, Kristen, Latonya and all the staff from Enhabit Home Health and Hospice, Gadsden, Al.; along with Senior Pastor Dave Little and the Southside Baptist Church family, Southside, Al., without whose support and instruction Peggy would have never been able to guide Mike into his heavenly Father’s arms.
Memorial contributions in Mike’s honor may be made to GO2 For Lung Cancer (gp2.0rg), a joint project between GO2 For Lung Cancer and the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s O’Neal Comprehensive cancer Center for lung cancer awareness, screening and education.
