Obituary

John Reed passed away unexpectedly on November 15, 2023 in Mission Viejo, CA. He was born on January 18, 1958 in Rolla, MO to parents Robert and Sue Reed and raised in Springfield, MO with his brothers Doug, Paul, Phillip, and James.

John graduated from Drury University (formerly Drury College) in Springfield, MO. After graduating, he worked for the Missouri State Auditor’s Office and went on to earn his CPA license. John worked in the biodiesel industry before relocating to Southern California, where he accepted a position with the Federal government. He worked there for 19 years. His strong work ethic and fairness earned him the respect and admiration of his colleagues.

John met the love his life, Linda, at work in 2016. They became friends through their love of running and married in 2018. John often described marrying Linda as the happiest day of his life. The second happiest day was when their son, Alexander, was born. John was a committed husband and father, always there for both Linda and Alex.

Throughout his life, John embraced his passions for guitar, baseball, surfing, hiking, and running. He was an excellent and fast runner. Running the Boston Marathon was a goal he easily achieved in 2018.

John is known for his kindness, soft-spoken nature, and sense of humor. He had a gift for making others feel welcome and comfortable. He loved talking about sports, music, and his favorite subject- his son, Alex.

John will be very much missed by all those he left behind and will leave a void in their hearts. He is survived by his wife, Linda; son, Alexander; brothers, Doug (Linda); Paul (Jan); and James (Berit); nieces, nephews, and friends.

Services will be held at O’Connor Mortuary in Laguna Hills on November 30, 2023, at 10 am. We extend our deepest gratitude to all those who have offered their condolences and support during this difficult time.