Harold Dean Reed died peacefully in his sleep at home on October 12, 2025, at age 84. He lived independently, and by his own terms, to the end, supported by his loving wife Joyce and family.  

Dean was born on August 19, 1941 at the Reed Farm just west of Kress, Texas to Jack Reed and Rachel Byrne.  Raised on hard work farming the plains of West Texas, he longed for adventure as a young man. He joined the United States Navy to find that adventure, and he certainly lived it.  

Based on the West coast, Dean traveled to Hawaii, Guam, Philippines, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, New Zealand, and Australia on various ships. He traveled to Antarctica on an icebreaker as part of Operation Deep Freeze ‘61. He saw the world and enjoyed socializing with people he met at each stop.  He was trained in the Navy as a diesel mechanic, a specialty he practiced throughout his life.

He married the love of his life, Joyce Fields, on November 30, 1961 in Plainview, Texas. They raised two sons, Beryl and Joe, and a daughter, Penny. After completing his years in the Navy, Dean worked at Cummins Sales & Service in downtown Los Angeles, California.  

Dean later returned to Texas, where he was the owner and operator of Reed’s Diesel Service in Whitesboro, Texas from 1977 until his death. He worked with his son, Beryl, in the family business, and he trained his son, Joe, in practical skills that helped him earn his mechanical engineering degree and work as an engineer supporting the design and manufacturing of over-the-road trucks that Dean repaired for decades.  

Dean’s main hobby was working on trucks. His diesel shop was the social center and main stop for all of his friends and customers, who spent countless hours visiting with Dean there.

Dean doted on his four granddaughters, two grandsons (the oldest of which was born on Dean’s birthday), and two great-granddaughters. He was well known for telling great stories and giving nicknames to everyone he loved.  He looked forward every year to pheasant hunting and attending the Reed Cousin Reunion in Kress.  He loved pressed jeans, crisp white undershirts, and well-worn boots.  

Dean was preceded in death by his father, mother, brothers Tooter Reed and Clifton Reed, and sisters Sue Allen and Peggy Jones.

He is survived by his wife Joyce, son Beryl, son Joe and daughter-in-law Toni, daughter Penny, grandsons Jackson and Connor, granddaughters Pepper, Ashleigh Stewart (Brice), Kathryn Neal (Jorgegio), and Christa Brown, great-granddaughters Bria Neal and Murphy Stewart, and many beloved nieces and nephews.  

Graveside services honoring Dean will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, October 18, 2025 at Oakwood Cemetery in Whitesboro, officiated by Rev. Rick Carney.  

A time of visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, October 17, 2025 at Meador Funeral Home of Whitesboro from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

To sign to online registry, please go to www.meadorfuneral.com