JOSEPH FRANKLIN REED

JOSEPH REED Obituary

Reed, Joseph Franklin, passed away Friday, November 26, 2010 at his home in Newport Beach. Joe was born on January 6, 1937 in Long Beach, California, and was preceded in death by his wife, Carolynn Kingston Reed. He leaves behind a daughter, Pamela Reed Allison; a son, Brett Joseph Reed; two granddaughters, Taylor and Jordan Allison; and many good friends who will miss him dearly. Joe grew up in Long Beach, and graduated from Long Beach State College, where he was active in Acacia Fraternity and served the baseball program as the team's trainer. Following college and his service in the Army, Joe umpired baseball in the minor leagues before beginning his long career as an investment banker. Throughout his adult life, he remained involved in the community umpiring and officiating high school baseball and football games, and serving Acacia Fraternity as National President. Joe was also on the board of the National Association of Sports Officials and spoke and taught frequently at conferences and umpire clinics. He finished his brokerage career with Merrill Lynch, retiring in 2003. While Joe spent much of his free time traveling, primarily taking cruises and visiting myriad of foreign countries, he couldn't sit still and returned to his first love, baseball, working for the last five years as an Umpire Observer with Major League Baseball. A long time supporter of Long Beach State Baseball, last October, Joe was inducted into the Long Beach State Baseball Hall of Fame, honoring him for his years of service to the program. His many friends are invited to a celebration of his life on Saturday, December 11, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at Blair Field in Long Beach, 4700 Deukmejian Drive. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his memory to Long Beach State Baseball, 49er Athletic Club, 1250 Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90840 or the ALS Foundation, Orange County Chapter, 1232 Village Way, Suite A, Santa Ana, CA 92705.

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Published by Orange County Register on Dec. 8, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for JOSEPH REED

12 Entries

Tom Fenton

January 4, 2011

I met Joe a couple years ago while working at Angel Stadium. I have always looked forward to his visits, and being able to sit down with him after a game for dinner and listen to the many great experiences he had in baseball and life will always be a great memory for me. I'm very sad I will no longer be able to spot him walking down the concourse to his seat, but feel very fortunate to have met such a great person.

Jeremy M

December 21, 2010

If it were not for the kindness of Joe I may have never graduated college. We met at a time when my living situation was not well and he let me move into his large and mostly empty home in order to help me out. Joe was caring and loving to every he met. He will be missed.

Deb Taylor

December 11, 2010

Joe Reed brought so much pleasure to so many with his many baseball stories. I will miss Joe very much. I was sadden that I could not be there in person, but my husband was there to show our love of this great man.

Gene Simpson

December 10, 2010

Joe was a good guy and a fine manager. As time went on, we
became better friends

Gene

Joe Goria

December 10, 2010

I'm shocked and extremely saddened by the passing of Joe Reed. He was a legend in so many ways. When I pledged with Acacia exactly twenty years ago (Fall 1990) - One of the first Alumni Whom I got to know was Mr. Joe Reed. He was an important person in our eyes, being integral in our Long Beach State Chapter plus being National President of Acacia. In October 1990, He came over to our chapter house at 1005 Locust Avenue to meet the fall Pledges (Myself #349 and Greg Johnson #348). Reed was so informative and quite kind, he truly made me feel that I was welcomed into Acacia at Long Beach State. Though Acacia at Long Beach State folded after I graduated in 1994, I'm grateful of the great moments I've had knowing good folks like Joe Reed. He will not be forgotten. Joe Goria - Acacia Long Beach St. #349 (1990-94)

Joe Goria

December 10, 2010

The Wallis Family

December 10, 2010

I met Joe one year ago-the very same day I became his neighbor and close friend. Before our first conversation was over, I knew Joe would be the genuine, open-armed and witty grandpa I never had. Joe Reed has inspired me to pursue my loftiest dreams, that success is a dividend of hard work and that no matter how old you are you always have 'that kid in you'. If you have been fortunate enough to accompany Joe to a MLB baseball game, you will clearly understand his last quote to me, "Ryan, don't you wish that at my age you could have 1/2 the fun I'm having?"

Bob Wissmann

December 9, 2010

Joe Reed was a good man and great ambassador for sports officials and the game of baseball. He will be missed. My prayers are with Pam and Brett. God bless your family in this time of grief.

December 8, 2010

Joe's contributions to Acacia nationally and to baseball in California stand as a wonderful reminder of what a fine guy he was. He will be missed. Randy (Stevens) Allard

December 7, 2010

"Joe sure had a passion for baseball. He always had a good story about the game. I enjoyed his friendship the last 10 years. He enjoyed his travels and he certainly had a life filled with many experiences. We should all be so lucky to have as an adventurious life as you did. Joe, you will be missed by many.
Bob Bailey

David Daves

December 7, 2010

I was a fellow Acacian and had the honor of listening to him several times at functions we had and I was always inspired and I appreciated the words he gave to his younger Acacian brothers(1983-1988). He will be missed by all!

Jill Cadman

December 7, 2010

Joe was my cousin and even though I'm younger by about 20 years I will always remember him as a gentle caring man who loved his family very much! Take care and I know that you are now reunited with Carolyn and all of those loved ones who went before. Heaven has been waiting for a good umpire!

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