Edward Alexander Reach Jr.

1926 - 2015

Edward Alexander Reach Jr., 88, of Weatherford passed from this life on Saturday, June 27, 2015. Service: 1 p.m. Thursday at North Main Church of Christ, John Herington officiating. Interment: 4 p.m. in Restland Memorial Park. Visitation: 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Galbreaith-Pickard Funeral Chapel. Edward was born July 5, 1926, in Fort Worth to Edward and Alta Reach. All his life, Mr. Reach loved to build and work with his hands. In high school he worked as a bricklayer building schools. He served in World War II as a Navy fireman first class on a destroyer escort. At the end of the war, in Guam, he was in training as a landing craft operator for the impending Japanese mainland invasion. After the war, he became an apprentice machinist and worked as a repairman for some of the last steam locomotives while at T&P Railroad. He retired from Chance Vought (LTV) and Bell Helicopter. After retirement, he was a dedicated volunteer for the UAW Union and the Democratic Party. Edward Reach had been a faithful member of the Church of Christ since 1947, once serving as a deacon at Glen Garden Church of Christ in Fort Worth. Over the years he used his great mechanical skills to support the church bus ministry, keeping the buses running well. He was most recently a member of North Main Church of Christ. Happily married for 67 years, Mr. Reach loved his family deeply, kept the family going and supported their interests. He traveled extensively with his wife, Bonnie, while she did genealogical research, and he passed on his knowledge and love of mechanics to his son, Charles, and encouraged his daughter Deborah's love and talent for art. He lived long, accomplished much and will be greatly missed. Survivors: His wife, Bonnie; his son and daughter-in-law, Charles and Alyce Reach and their children, Michael, Sarah and Aaron; his daughter, Deborah and her children, Michael, Mary and Michelle; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.