Thorpe M. Reeder

Thorpe M. Reeder

April 15, 1958 - July 07, 2012

Thorpe M. Reeder

April 15, 1958 - July 07, 2012

Obituary

THORPE “SHARKY” REEDER

Thorpe “Sharky” Reeder, an inventor, fisherman, artist and fix anything man passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, July 7, 2012. Sharky was a long time resident of Dana Point and you could always see him driving around town in his bright yellow El Camino with his “Surf Squirt” body boards attached. Sharky is survived by his daughter, Amber, his son by sibling, Adam Tuten, his niece Codee, family members Joann Reeder and Ann Cummins and his brothers, BH and Forrest Reeder. He was predeceased in life by his parents, Boyd and Charlotte Reeder, his sister, Fran and best friend Tommy. Sharky is also survived by family in Florida and Iowa and a multitude of friends he considered brothers and sisters. If you met Sharky, you were immediately family.

Thorpe was born in New York but as a baby his family moved to Miami, Florida which began a life-time love of fishing and his fascination with sharks. Growing up in Miami, Thorpe would spend lots of time fishing, which lent to some of his most memorable stories of Fish Camp in the Florida Keys. Most of his school days were spent not focusing on schoolwork, but more discussing fishing with his principals or painting beautiful murals for his teachers; he always knew how to focus on his stronger skills to help him through the more challenging ones. Sharky’s Fish Camp stories sound as far-fetched as they could get, but his friends and family will always vouch that they are 100% fact. From climbing up fire coral to escape an angry parrot fish with a personal vendetta, to having his life saved by his future high school principal when something went wrong while trying to pull in a shark from the beach with his 13-year old hands, Sharky’s stories are the things that made him a local legend wherever he called home.

After high school, Thorpe’s family moved to Dana Point and he easily transitioned into a full, but too short life of a multitude of friends, adventures on the seas and a legacy in his beautiful daughter, Amber. Amber was the light of his life and anyone who ever spoke to Thorpe knew he made sure they knew about his wonderful little girl. From the moment she was born, there was never anything more important to him. His life expanded one hundred fold when he held her in his arms for the first time. He made sure to tell Amber all about his adventures from his childhood and into early adulthood so that she knew just how amazing her father’s life truly was. Thorpe was what every dad should be to his child. He never missed a recital, concert, school play, science fair, field show, birthday, holiday, or any other occasion that he could show his support for his daughter. However, nothing made Amber happier as a kid than sitting and listening to her father’s stories and enjoying Jimmy Buffett music.

Working on the Aranistrans, a large luxury fishing boat where he spent a large amount of time, other skiffs, boats, ships, and yachts brought Thorpe so many memories and stories to share. He worked for the Dana Point Harbor Company and the Buoi Corporation for many years until he embraced his creative side and concentrated on his inventions and paintings. He spent the past fifteen years working on his invention, the Surf Squirt body board. He would sell his Surf Squirts and do fix-it jobs for friends and clients by day and then spend his evenings relaxing and painting at home. Thorpe was truly a jack-of-all-trades. If there was something that needed to be repaired, tweaked, looked at, built, or imagined Thorpe would do it and do it well.

Sharky will be deeply missed by his family, long-time friends and people who just crossed his path. Fish Camp in heaven has gained a head counselor beyond compare. We love you, Sharky!

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE FAMILY OF THORPE ‘SHARKY’ REEDER CAN BE MADE AT WELLS FARGO BANK TO THE THORPE SHARKY REEDER BENEFIT MEMORIAL FUND – ACCOUNT # 2835116308

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20 responses to Thorpe M. Reeder

  1. Tony Hale says:

    I want to say that Sharky was truly a nice man..He knew more about fishing than the fish themselves…I kept saying..I need to spend some time with him and pick his brain…he Will truly be missed!!

  2. mona dunham says:

    1 file added to the tribute wall

  3. Hi Gaylen, could you please gimme me a call, i’ve had a wall in my office for dedicated to Thorpe for years, and i’d really love these copies that you attached, they’re outstanding, and i would like to have printable copies somehow, so if you have time, my # is 916.600.8280. thank you..
    Forrest

  4. chuckpetery says:

    Thorpe my dear friend you are the coolest guy I ever known really.I could walk up to you anytime anywhere and you would have so many things to say and you’re always so kind to me you’re a good looking guy and your just the coolest I will almost wanted to or do I want to model myself after you you’re just so awesome dude.I’m speaking to you like you’re alive for me and you know what you would have done or said after I said what I did you would have f****** said something just do not make me feel so f****** like I said something corny or something you’re simply coolest guy ever metI miss you so much dudeyou are so low key about puffing weed nobody probably the never knew but there’s one of the things I like about you the most every time I come by yours had a hit of the f****** kind bud

  5. Howard says:

    I was heartbroken when I learned of Thorpe’s passing. We were friends for a short couple of years in the early ‘80’s. We worked together and I helped him build a boat during one great summer. It would please everyone to know that the boat is still in use in Oceanside harbor! When I saw it fifteen years later, I was so proud! Thorpe asked me if I’d help him out building that boat, although he would only be able to pay me shark sandwiches for lunch! What I didn’t know then was that I was paid with Thorpe’s knowledge and his ability to think outside of the box. He had a “sure I can” attitude and amazing ability to solve any kind of mechanical problem. In the decades since, I have often thought, “what would Thorpe do”, when confronted with something difficult. Towards the end of my time with Thorpe, I was getting into all kinds of trouble with alcohol and the law. It was a time when you separate your acquaintances from true friends. Thorpe was a loyal friend to me, always, and I love and miss him very much. He continues to be the most unique and interesting person I’ve ever met. I live on the opposite side of the country now and hadn’t known of his passing. I send my heartfelt condolences to his friends, his brothers and to Joann and especially Amber, who I only knew as a baby. Thanks, Thorpe. I hope to see you again someday!

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