John Porter Reed

1924 - 2017

John Porter Reed

John Porter Reed, Jr., 93, passed away peacefully on July 14, 2017, with family at his side. Porter was born June 24, 1924, in Springfield, MA. His early ambition was to become a doctor. Enduring family losses during the Great Depression, he worked hard to make his dream reality. He always strived for excellence, and was generous and supportive to his family. Porter had many interests and with his beloved wife Janet of 69 years, nee Jacobsen, lived in their Bellevue, WA home for 58 years. He joined The Mountaineers Club and climbed many of Washington's peaks, built a dark room for his photography hobby, and was an active member in the Bellevue Probus Club and the Republican Party.

Upon high school graduation Porter enlisted in the Navy's Officer Procurement Program and was ordered to active duty in the V-12 program at the University of Minnesota in July 1943. He became a corpsman at the Chelsea Naval Hospital in 1944 and provided care for the first casualties returned after D-Day. Porter met the love of his life, Janet, while at U. of M. In 1948 he earned his M.D. degree, membership in the Alpha Omega Honorary Medical Fraternity, and then marriage on June 14th in St. Paul, MN. He earned a Master of Medical Sciences in 1953 from Ohio State University, was Instructor of Anesthesiology, and Associate Director of the Laboratory of Aviation Physiology. A veteran of WWII and Korean War, he served in the 2nd Marine Division as a Navy Lieutenant. He became a fellow of the American College of Anesthesiology and certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology. As a member of the American Society of Anesthesiologists he became president of the Washington State Society of Anesthesiologists in 1969 and joined the Washington State Medical Association and King County Medical Society. He was Chief of Anesthesiology at The Doctors Hospital in Seattle for 16 years, served on the Medical Board, and on staff at Maynard, Swedish, Children's, and Cabrini Hospitals.

After retirement in 1989 he maintained his intense interest in current developments in medicine, attending grand rounds, and spending many hours reading in his study. He and Janet traveled extensively, especially enjoying world cruises. After visiting medical facilities during his world travels, he began shipping donations of needed medical supplies to impoverished hospitals. He lived a life of gratitude for his dream fulfilled in the work he loved, excellent medical care he was able to provide, and love of family and friends.

Porter is survived by wife Janet, brother Donald, daughters Lora Ford (John), Marian Hudson (Larry), and son John Reed (Karen); grandchildren Royce and Nadia Reed, Ira Ford, Taylor Hudson and great grandson Clark Reed. He is preceded in death by his sister Elizabeth. His remains will reside at Tahoma National Cemetery. A memorial service will be announced at a later time. In lieu of flowers/gifts please make a donation in his memory to Seattle Children's Hospital http://www.seattlechildrens.org/ways-to-help/donate/ or The Mountaineers https://www.mountaineers.org/donate/memorial-honor-gifts.