Gary W. Reed

1948 - 2015

Gary W. Reed

Born: March 28, 1948; in Indianapolis, IN

Died: March 28, 2015; in Kailua, HI

Gary Wayne Reed, age 67, passed away Saturday, March 28, in Kailua, Hawaii with his wife Ofelia by his side after losing his battle with ALS.

He was born March 28, 1948, in Indianapolis, Indiana, the second of six children to John C. and Alice M. Reed. The Reed family moved to Woodstock, Illinois when Gary was three, and where he spent his childhood. While in high school he played the trombone with the Marching Band, then with the Drum and Bugle Corp., the McHenry Viscounts, followed by the Chicago Cavaliers (aka The Green Machine). While in high school Gary developed a passion for art and thought he might like to teach. After graduation he enrolled at the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater where he majored in art. Gary transferred to the American Academy of Art in Chicago before finally going to the John Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida.

In 1971, Gary relocated to Hawaii and thought it the most beautiful place he had ever seen. He loved to hike the trails and beaches of the islands and then to capture what he saw on canvas. Gary loved Hawaii and enjoyed having family and friends come to visit. He became accomplished and renowned for his oil landscapes of the islands. Paintings by Gary Reed can be found all over Hawaii and in collections throughout the country. He will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, John C. and Alice M. Reed.

Surviving are his wife, Ofelia (Carag) Reed whom he married April 24, 2010, in Hawaii; sisters, Joyce (Joseph) Wiemuth of Woodstock, IL, Denise Ann (David) Hays of Davenport, IA, Kimberly (Milton) Deemer of Las Vegas, NM, Lisa (Jay) Whittemore of McHenry, IL; brother, John T. Reed, of Woodstock, IL; nieces, Heidi (Fred) Boal, Terry (Niall) Michelson, Rebecca (Eric) Jansen, Jennifer (James) Samorian; nephews, Joseph Wiemuth III and Paul Hays.

Friends and family will meet on Saturday, June 13, for a Celebration of Life at 10:30 a.m. until the service at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 201 W. South St., Woodstock, IL.

Memorial Remembrances can be made to: Iroquois Point Elementary School, 5553 Cormorant Ave, Ewa Beach, Hawaii 96706; or UHM College of Education, 1776 University Ave, Everly Hall, Room 128, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822

Family Contact info: Kimberly Reed-Deemer, agavecasa@gmail.com