Robert Glynn Reed

R.G. Reed: He Answered Robert Glynn “R.G.” Reed was born on Sept. 19, 1933, in Pascagoula, Mississippi to Thomas Joseph Reed and Myrtlelene B. Reed (nee Buckalew). He graduated from Pascagoula High School. Enlisting in the Mississippi Army National Guard during the Korean War, Robert eventually retired from the Regular Army in 1974 at the rank of Master Sergent, with over 23 years of honorable military service. A highly trained member of the Army Signal Corps branch, he was long a facet of the school battalion at Ft. Gordon, where he was an instructor. In short, young radiomen were able to keep their units in contact when the chips were down because of what Sgt. Reed taught them. He completed two tours of duty in Vietnam (1965 and 1969), the latter as a 31Z5H Senior Signal Sergeant, earning the Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster, the Vietnam Service Medal with seven stars, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with palm. Prior overseas service included tours as a military adviser in both Iran and Iraq, back when those countries had a Shah and a king, respectively. When the knock came, he went. Upon the conclusion of his military service, Robert returned to his hometown where he was a respected local businessman, first opening a Martinizing establishment, then moving into television repair. For years, "R.G.'s T.V." was who you called in Pascagoula when your Magnavox was on the fritz. Ultimately, he returned to his military skills and worked as a master electrician at Ingalls Shipbuilding, being a plank owner constructor on several U.S. Navy warships that are still in service. Even late in life, he continued to work, never being one to shirk from a hard day's labor. When the phone rang, he went. Speaking of standing up, Robert was a family man with three natural sons, a paterfamilias. Going further, while in the military he took charge of three children from a Kinderheim, a brutal German orphanage, and brought them to America in 1962, where they all lived full lives, calling him "Dad." For the last 20 years of his life, R.G. again took on the role of nurturer for his brother-in-law, Bill Smith, a special needs adult. He was actively involved with his community and regularly volunteered with a variety of charitable organizations, including the Civitan Club. When the need arose, he went. Relocating from Pascagoula to Columbus following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, which left his beachfront home a slab, he called North Mississippi his home for the rest of his life. Robert answered his final call on March 4, 2022. For now, he leaves behind his loving wife of 35 years, Linda, his son living sons Ronnie Thomas and Thomas Reed, stepson Christopher Melton, grandsons Chris Eger, Nick Eger, and Chad Thomas; granddaughter Tiffany Thomas, as well as a collection of numerous great and great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded by his daughter Beate, and his sons Bernd, Peter, and Robert.