Obituary of LTC Dr. Donald Jacob Reed,, U.S. Army, Jr.

It is with heavy hearts and profound sadness that the family of Dr. Donald J. Reed announces his passing on Saturday, December 5, 2020. Dr. Reed was 63 when he succumbed to complications from a brief illness. Dr. Reed was born on April 29, 1957 in Richmond, Indiana, where his passion for history and literature would ultimately lead to an exceptional military career and a deep and unwavering love for his country. In 1979, Donald enlisted in the United States Army, where he would go on to serve with honor and distinction for more than twenty years as a Military Police Officer. Dr. Reed retired from the United States Army in 1999 as a Lieutenant Colonel, and shortly thereafter, began working with the Department of Defense (DoD) in Colorado Springs, Colorado.Since 9/11, Dr. Reed had been a strategic-level homeland defense/security plans and operations director for the Department of Defense (DoD). He worked on the DoD response to the 9/11 attacks, as well as to Hurricane Katrina. Most recently, Dr. Reed worked at U.S. Northern Command and his area of responsibility was North America (U.S. and Canada), Mexico, and The Bahamas. Since 9/11, he has been directly or indirectly involved in the response to virtually every disaster in the homeland that required DoD support. Most recently, in 2017, Dr. Reed was a Crisis Action Team Leader in the U.S. Northern Command Future Operations Center for the DoD support to Hurricanes Harvey (Texas), and Irma (Florida), and Maria (Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands).Dr. Reed was also a Walden University Adjunct Faculty Member, specializing in Emergency Management in the School of Public Policy and Administration. During a career that lasted over forty years, Dr. Donald Reed served his country with honor and faithful dedication. A patriot in every sense of the word, his love of country and his service was eclipsed only by his love and devotion to his family. He was an indefatigable advocate and mentor who relished the opportunity to share his experiences and wisdom to any who sought him out, and he gave freely of himself to any and all who were in need.Dr. Reed and his wife, Carmen, moved to Colorado from Georgia and enjoyed the natural beauty of Colorado with their dog, Zelda.As hard as Don worked, he also knew how to enjoy life and his family. Don, along with the love of his life, Carmen, traveled at every opportunity, visiting family, and trips to natural and historic landmarks. Don never stopped learning; he enjoyed reading and sharing what he read, sometimes throwing in incorrect material to see how well his audience was listening, then chuckling when he caught them being inattentive. He also enjoyed music of all genres. Don's sense of humor was best described as "quick-witted". He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. Family was incredibly important to him and they were his primary focus and center, no matter what was going on around him. Don was a gentle giant and the world has lost a bright light.He is preceded in death by his beloved mother, Bonnie Reed (2008).Dr. Reed is survived by his wife, Carmen Victoria Reed, whom he married January 19, 2002; five children, Carla (Andy) Turner of Fayetteville, Georgia, Shannon (Adam) Martin of Fayetteville, Georgia, Marc Aragon of Manchester, Georgia, Matthew Aragon of Colorado Springs, and Christopher Aragon of Colorado Springs; seven grandchildren; three brothers, Larry, David and Michael Reed, all of Richmond, Indiana; sister, Sheri (Steve) Petry of Richmond, Indiana; his parents-in-law, John and Yolanda Messing of The Colony, Texas; brothers-in-law, Jonathan (Cammie) Messing of Wichita, Kansas and John Messing of Alpharetta, Georgia; many nieces and nephews; and his beloved dog, Zelda.