Robert Reed

Memorial service will be held on November 8th at 6:00 PM at Cornerstone Church in Artesia, New Mexico. A dinner gathering will follow, and all are welcome to join in remembering and celebrating Robert's life.

**Robert Gene Reed Jr.** was born on January 1, 1957, in Danville, Illinois, to Loretta Crumly. Not long after, he they became a family when Robert Gene Reed Sr. adopted him and gave him his name.

Robert, affectionately known as Bob or Bobby, graduated from Southmont High School in Crawfordsville, Indiana, in 1975. That same year, he joined the U.S. Air Force, proudly serving his country and starting a new chapter in his life receiving an honorable discharge.

After leaving the Air Force, he met Linda Allen, who came into his life with her two kids, Christopher Jason Dixon and Mandy Hicks-Mullins. Their daughter, Bambi Reed-Kern, was born in 1980, bringing the family together. Linda and Robert married a year later and began their lifelong adventure.

In 1982, they moved to Artesia, New Mexico, where Robert started out as a long-haul truck driver. By 1986, he found his place in the oil field, where he worked hard and made friends until his medical retirement in 2012. Those who knew him admired his dedication and sense of humor and laid-back approach to life.

He enjoyed several hobbies during his lifetime. He made model plains, collected comic books and actions figures usually taking his daughter with him on the hunt. There were countless hours of family activities that included fishing and looking for arrowheads. He would usually start these as adventures and then turn the into work by collecting bottles and cans for recycling. Somehow, we always fell for it. He also enjoyed reading and most recently painting.

After retirement Robert faced many health issues, and he faced each with a braveness and grace rarely seen. His only complaint most times was the food.

Robert was preceded in death by his father, Robert G. Reed Sr., and his brothers, Michael Reed, and Danny Reed, of Dardanelle, Arkansas.

He is survived by his mother Loretta Reed, and his brother, Howard Reed, and brother Mathew Reed and husband Jack Reed.

His beloved wife of 42 years, Linda Reed.

Daughter Bambi Kern and husband Troy Kern, son Lucas Kern

Daughter Mandy Mullins and her sons Casey Mullins and Wife Santana Mur their children Declan and Liam. Devon Mullins and his children Ezra and Zagan Mullins and daughter Jazmine Lutz.

Son Christopher Dixon and wife Nancy, daughter Chris's children Joel Shultz and Cristobal Dixon.

Sister-in-law Garth Reed and her kids, Jeremy, Cortney, and Hailey.

He leaves a lasting legacy in his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Robert's life was filled with love, laughter, orneriness, and a whole lot of stories.

The family would also like to thank J&J Homecare and Encompass for the kindness and laughter they shared with him.