Marshall Foster Reed, Jr.

Marshall Foster Reed, Jr., age 94, passed away peacefully on December 1, 2025. A civil engineer, Navy veteran, and committed church and community leader, Marshall lived a life grounded in service, family, and faith. Marshall resided in Southport, NC since 2004. Born in Brooklyn, NY, Marshall grew up on Long Island, NY, and graduated from Duke University in 1954 with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. He served as a Lieutenant JG with the U.S. Navy's Underwater Demolition Team (UDT), the predecessor to the Navy SEALs, based at Pearl Harbor. He continued his service in the Naval Reserve until his retirement in 1970. In 1955, Marshall married Judith Ann Harris, beginning a 69-year partnership that took them from Pearl Harbor to Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Vienna and Lovettsville Virginia, to their retirement homes in Chittenden and Addison, VT, before settling in Southport. During their years in Vienna, VA, Marshall and Judith helped found the Emmaus United Church of Christ. Marshall's career included early work on the Interstate Highway System and later consulting with 17 states to improve transportation programs. He received the Harland Bartholomew Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers for his contributions to planning and infrastructure. He is survived by four children-Douglas, Pamela, David, and Andrew-eight grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his three younger brothers. Marshall was proud of his family heritage as a direct descendant of America's first composer, Stephen Collins Foster (My Old Kentucky Home). A Celebration of Life will be held in Southport, NC, on January 3, 2026 at the Peacock, Newnam and White Funeral Home. Final interment will take place in the Reed family plot in Vermont at a later date. A Celebration of Life for Marshall will also be held at the Peacock Newnam & White Funeral Home in Southport on January 3, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. officiated by Reverend Rick Russell. Online condolences may be made at www.peacocknewnamwhite.com Peacock - Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service, Southport, North Carolina. Marshall Foster Reed, Jr.