Paul Dean Reed, 86, of Marion, passed away on November 29, 2020. He was born on September 19, 1934, in Canada, Kentucky (Pike County), to the late Floyd and Cynthia Reed. His mother died when he was two weeks old, so he was raised by his maternal grandmother, Ora Canada.
As a young man, Paul met Noka Worley, who also grew up in Kentucky. In April of 1957, he was drafted into the Army and served in Germany. After being discharged in March of 1959, he returned to one of his favorite places, the mountains of eastern Kentucky. Paul and Noka were married on May 28, 1959, and moved to Indiana where they raised three children together. He also brought his grandmother to live with them in Indiana.
Paul learned to be a baker at Piggly Wiggly in Williamson, West Virginia, and while living in Indiana he owned three different bakeries. He also worked at GM Fisher Body and later at Taylor University in Upland, eventually becoming Manager of the Housekeeping Department. Before retiring, he was employed by White’s Institute and also sold merchandise at flea markets in Indiana, as well as Texas and Florida, where he and Noka would spend winters.
True to his namesake “Dizzy Dean”, Paul loved the game of baseball, and he coached Little League (the Orioles) in South Marion for many years, even leading an All-Star Team to a State Championship victory in 1977. He was also interested in politics and served the community after being elected to the Marion City Council. He enjoyed playing the card game, Rook, and had to learn a great deal of strategy to win when playing the Rook low.
Paul had a strong sense of adventure and traveled to almost all 50 states. Even after moving to Indiana, Paul returned many times to Kentucky to decorate and care for the family gravesites and reconnect with family and childhood friends. Another place that Paul often visited was the rolling hills of Brown County State Park, especially in the fall when the leaves colored the landscape with red, yellow, and orange.
Paul was known to have a good sense of humor. Due to his dementia, he did not laugh much the last few years of his life, but he certainly will be remembered as someone who loved telling jokes to everyone he met. He also enjoyed camping, driving his pontoon boat, eating ice cream with chocolate syrup, and sticking out his false teeth.
Survivors include his wife, Noka of Marion; children, Vicki (Jeff) Lada, Ricky Reed, and Janet (Glen) Lashbrook; grandchildren, Dr. Julie (Don Riefler) Lada, Jeffrey Scott Lada, Dalton Reed, Andrea (Jesse) Sutherland, and Eric (Alaina) Lashbrook; and seven great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank University Nursing Center in Upland for the excellent care they gave Paul over the past 3½ years. During this time, his devoted wife, Noka, was by his side almost every day. Paul’s daughter, Vicki, spent countless hours helping with his care and his son, Ricky, visited him numerous times.
A private family service will be held at Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral Service, North Chapel, 1341 N. Baldwin Ave., Marion, IN. Pastor Joel Gearhart will be officiating.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift in Paul’s honor to Marion-Grant County Humane Society, P.O. Box 1921, Marion, IN 46952.
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