Ray Dewayne Reed, son of the late Author T. Read and Faye Pauline Tompkins Read was born on July 31, 1944, in Campbell, Missouri and departed this life on December 30, 2023, at the Poplar Bluff Regional Emergency Department in Poplar Bluff, Missouri at the age of 79.

Ray had retired from Brown Shoe in Bernie where he had worked as the foreman. He had also worked in the coal yard, operating dozers for Associated Electric in New Madrid, Missouri. He enjoyed woodworking and collecting sports cards. He loved taking care of his three rat terriers; Scooter, Buffy and Toby.

On April 3, 1963, he was united in marriage to Ruth Hurley in Malden, Missouri. Mrs. Reed survives of their home in Puxico, Missouri.

Along with his wife, he is survived by one son, Shawn Reed and wife Holly of Puxico, Missouri; and by three grandchildren, Brooke Reed, Isabella Reed, and Piper Reed.

Other than by his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Roger Read.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. at the Mathis Funeral Chapel in Bernie, Missouri. Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. in the Mathis Funeral Chapel in Bernie, Missouri. Interment will follow in the Bernie Cemetery with Krag Runzi officiating.