Phillip Dean Reed

1936 - 2025

Phillip Dean Reed
May 26, 1936 - November 4, 2025
It is with broken hearts, but with peace in knowing he now rests in the arms of Jesus, that the family of Phillip D. Reed shares that our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend passed away on November 4, 2025. He passed away at Forks Community Hospital, where he had received loving care for the past several months.
Phillip was born on May 26, 1936, in Winona, Minnesota, to Harold "Tom" and Margaret (Thorpe) Reed. He married the love of his life, Nedra, on June 13, 1962. Together they raised their son, Bret (wife Amy), who survives him. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Josh (wife Lindsay), Heather (husband Nick), and Bambi (husband Bryan), and his eight great-grandchildren, Alice, Bradley, Clark, Henry, Bennett, Spencer, Modern, and Myers. Their laughter and love filled his later years with "Papa Hugs" and joy. He is also survived by his brother, Harold Reed of Boise, Idaho. Phillip was preceded in death by his sister, Jean, and his brothers, Raymond "Kip," Richard, and David.
Phil began his 30-year career with the Washington Department of Corrections in 1966, starting at the Clallam Bay Honor Camp and retiring as a Captain from the Olympic Correction Center. Prior to that, he served proudly in the United States Air Force, where he was stationed at various military bases as an Air Police Investigator. Upon retirement, Phil began what he often called his "real work" - fishing. From owning the fishing vessel West to guiding on local rivers and in Alaska, fishing was both his passion and his joy. When rowing all day became a bit much, he happily traded in guiding for simply "going fishing" with family and friends in his famous blue boat off Sekiu and La Push. Cutting firewood with his family and friends was "one of his favorite things," and the family requests that in lieu of flowers, a tree be planted in his memory, remembering that he loved to plant them but also loved to cut them down.
A graveside service will be held on November 19, 2025, at 1 PM at Mount Angeles Memorial Park. A celebration of life, with fishing stories shared by family and friends and a message delivered by Reverend Bob Swartz-who was often the "victim" of Phil's tall fishing tales-will be held later at the First Baptist Church in Forks, where Phil was a lifelong member.
Arrangements are under the care of Harper Ridgeview Funeral Chapel, Port Angeles. For more information, visit www.harper-ridgeviewfuneralchapel.com.