Paul Albert Reed

Paul Albert Reed, 94, of Waukee, Iowa passed away on January 2, 2023 at VA Hospice, Des Moines, Iowa.

He is the step-son of Dora Burnett of Laclede, MO. He attended school at Laclede Schools, graduating in 1945. While going to school, he had a paper route, mowed lawns (one that was 5 miles away) and helped his mom milk the cows. In high school, he played basketball. Shortly after high school, he played baseball and softball and even tried out for the St. Louis Cardinals!

After graduating, he went to work as a farm hand for the Linn family. He was drafted into the Army in 1950 and sent to Korea. He was primarily in Hokkaido, Japan and was severely injured while on maneuvers near the Soviet Union. After returning from the service, he moved to the Kansas City area and worked at Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac and Armco Steel and harvested wheat in Montana, Wyoming and Colorado.

He meet Barbara Higgs helping her get her car out of a snowdrift! He married her on December 6, 1958. He and Barbara moved to Odessa, MO in 1959. They farmed 120 acres while he also worked construction for Andes & Roberts Construction. He worked for them until the mid ’70s when he started his own construction company. They loved the rural life and raising crops and cattle. Barbara’s parents lived with them in Odessa until they passed away. Barbara passed away in 1981 at the age of 51. This was a very hard period for Paul.

Then in 1985, he met Naomi Hey and married her in September of that year. He continued his construction company into the ‘90s. Naomi’s mom came to live with Paul and Naomi in 1989.

In 2003, they moved to Anita, Iowa where, after “retiring” from construction, they continued to deliver Travel Buddys. After “retiring” from that, he and Naomi starting delivering The Exchange. He delivered that until 2020 and had to quit because of COVID. I’m sure he was the oldest paper boy known to man! For all his life, Paul was also an avid hunter and Pitch player.

Paul was preceded in death by both his wives, Barbara and Naomi, both sisters, Faye and June, a brother Raymond, a brother-in-law, Basil, his step-mom, Dora and his step-sisters Esther, Naomi and Ruth.

Paul is survived by his son, Larry (Wendy) Reed, two step-daughters Ilene Goddard and Christine (Pete) Lynch and four step-grandchildren, Kylee, Kelsey, Emily and Luke. Also, many nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be at Caldwell-Parrish Funeral Home, 8201 Hickman Road, Urbandale on Friday, January 27th with visitation from 10-11 with a short service following at the funeral home, and then military honors performed at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter.