Letter: Reed special person who will be missed

Dear Editor:

Jack Reed was a very special person in my life. I considered him an uncle.

He was married to my mother’s cousin, Donna Adamson Reed, for nearly 50 years until her death in 1998. When I was growing up, Jack, Donna, their sons, Ben and Dennis, and my parents, brother Rob and I, spent many weekends together.

Winter weekends were spent sledding off Bear Creek Road, being pulled back up the hill by Jack in one of his Jeeps Š enjoying hot chocolate by a bonfire before heading home.

My brother remembers trips to Luken-Hazen Mine and Snowshoe Mine.

Summer weekends were spent at a cabin on Middle Thompson Lake that Jack, my dad and a few others built. Jack dreamed of spending his retirement at that cabin. The memories of weekends spent swimming, fishing and enjoying the lake will always be special to me. Carrying on the tradition with his grandchildren, B.J., Michael, and Nicholas, and my sons, David and Adam, there were camping trips to Logan Park. I hope that those times as well as others of being together are a fond memory for them.

Jack was a greatly respected business man in Libby running Jack’s Exxon for about 30 years. He always greeted his customers with a smile. Not only could you gas up your vehicle, you could also get an oil change or a tire alignment and other repairs.

Jack also enjoyed spending time with friends, listening to music and going out dancing. He enjoyed the beauty of the outdoors and the view of the Cabinet Mountain Range from his home.

I am thankful that he was a major part of my life as I was growing up. As to be expected he will be missed by family and friends.

Karen Vinson Armstrong

Eagle Creek, Ore.