Jeffrey Allen Reed

Jeffrey (Jeff) Allen Reed, 59, of Bellville, Texas, passed away suddenly on Sunday, June 11, 2017. Jeff was born August 27, 1957 in New Market, Suffolk, England, a military baby, and the third child of John and Blanche (Clegg) Reed, formerly of West Virginia. The family returned to the United States the next year. Jeff was a dual citizen of the U. S. and England until at age 21 he declared himself proudly and solely a U.S. citizen. Jeff grew up in and attended schools in several states. By the age of 16 he was on his own. He worked different jobs, even as a bouncer in a club. Eventually, he climbed up in an 18 wheeler and became a long-haul truck driver like his dad. He traveled the breadth of this nation, criss-crossing it many times; Hawaii being the only state out of his route. Jeff drove over 30 years with an accident-free record. He was known as “Slow Hand” and more recently as “Turtle” by fellow truckers. Jeff was old-school, turning that big truck on a dime and backing it in tight spaces easy as pie. He truly had a talent for it. Jeff was always very proud of being a truck driver and was quick to point out that none of us could survive without truckers delivering goods. Jeff fell in love with the state of Texas and settled here in the 1990’s. No, Jeff wasn’t born a Texan but much like John Wayne, you really couldn’t tell! He vowed never to leave, although the Carolinas, home of family and friends, still remained close to his heart. On April 18, 1998 in Katy, Texas Jeff married Janice Lana Heintschel and soon after a very premature son was born. Jeff believed his son was strong and willed him to survive the odds. And Justin Allen Reed did! The family moved to Bellville and settled into small-town life. Jeff continued his career as a truck driver working for several different companies, but only driving in Texas to stay close to his wife and child. One of his greatest joys was packing up Justin and taking him along in the truck. Many good times were shared going down those Texas roads together. Off the road and out of the truck, Jeff enjoyed the simple pleasure of being home. He loved watching old tv shows. “Lonesome Dove” and “The Cowboys” were his favorite movies. Music was a great love and he possessed considerable knowledge about songs, bands, and artists. Jeff was part of The Marshall Tucker Band entourage at one time. He loved the blues and Stevie Ray Vaughn was his all-time idol. Jeff probably has Stevie playing “Texas Flood” over and over again right now! Jeff could shoot a mean game of pool too. He really loved just hanging out in the backyard, grilling, and playing with his various pets. His everlasting love was his 1974 Pontiac Firebird, “The Bird”. He kept it running smooth and drove it every day even though it didn’t look so pretty anymore. Jeff never considered any other car for himself. If you knew Jeff, you know he never knew a stranger. He was friendly, helpful, and considerate. He believed in giving a smile to everyone; that it could change a person’s whole attitude or at least their day. He was affectionately known as the “Mayor of the Meadows”, greeting all passersby in the neighborhood. He provided assistance to neighbors with anything from pet rescue to car repair. It didn’t matter – if he could help or fix it or find a tool, he would. Jeff also had a knack for chatting with the elderly ladies and then in the same afternoon, you could find him sharing popsicles with his little next door neighbor. In the last couple of months, Jeff found a great place to work – the Bellville Golf Course. He was happy working in the pro shop and delighted in serving the patrons and visiting. Jeff is survived by his wife of 19 years, Janice and their son, Justin Allen Reed, both of Bellville; siblings: older sister Mary Lou Coleman (Sissy) of Monroe, North Carolina; baby sister Lee Ann Sweigart of Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania; brother Johnny Reed of Utah; life-long friend Tim Miller of Charlotte, North Carolina;   mother-in-law Laurie Heintschel and brother-in-law Gerald Heintschel and wife Patti; several nieces and nephews; and many friends in Texas and the Carolinas. He was preceded in death by his parents and father-in-law Harry Heintschel. Memorials can be given to H.O.A. Meals On Wheels (Austin County) or Bellville Public Library – Children’s Summer Reading Program.