Ward Roose Reed

Ward Roose Reed Ward passed away Monday morning, December 3, 2007 in the Moosehaven Life Care Center where he was for 21 1/2 years. He was born November 5, 1905 in Nappanee, IN and lived to the age of 102. Ward married Ruth Denslow on July 26, 1924 in South Bend, Indiana. They had 2 children, Richard and Jean Ellen. He was employed by Bendix Corporation as a Cost Accountant for 20 years before retiring on December 1, 1970. After retirement from Bendix he was employed by Ries Furniture Company as a Salesaman for 10 years. Ward joined the Loyal Order of Moose on March 13, 1966 when he joined South Bend, IN Lodge #58. He also joined the Legion on February 28, 1970. He came to Moosehaven on March 27, 1986 at the age of 80, along with his wife, Ruth, who passed away on August 16, 1988. Just a couple weeks before they celebrated 64 years of marriage. Besides celebrating 64 years of marriage while at Moosehaven, he hit several other milestones – On his 99th birthday, Ward proudly passed out his special candy bars that read, Ward, Happy 99th Birthday that his son, Richard brought for Ward to share. On the back of the candy bar, it read – 99 years is a l ong time and the facts from 1905 show how much has changed. Can you believe that Ward is 99 years old? The price of a new car was $1,594. A new home cost $2400, a quart of milk just 7 cents, a loaf of bread 4 cents and a pound of steak a whopping 18 cents. My how things have changed. Then before you know it, another milestone – Ward along with his family and friends celebrated the century mark – Happy 100th Birthday Ward. Ward had to show off a little bit for his 100th birthday, he decided it was time to get back on his bike and rode it around and posed proudly for a picture. In talking with Ward, he was sure he had reached his final age – 100 –but another year came and went – another celebration – 101st birthday – and then he was really sure he would not have another – in fact he made his mind up that he would not have any more – but he soon found out the God is God and Ward was not - a little less than a month ago – 102nd Birthday celebration! He first said – no party – then he decided he would like a small celebration with his family and a couple of his Hospice friends and another long time resident, Mrs. Grace Smith. He called the shots and got just what he wanted, a small party, with about 24 - his meal request was the works from Kentucky Fried Chicken. Linda Sutton met his party requests with along with a birthday cake. Ward was a very intelligent man – God blessed him with a sound mind and a strong will. He was one who took good care of himself – he was a firm believer in taking certain vitamins – I often told him he should write a book to tell us the secret of longevity. He is survived by his son, Richard Reed (Harriet), 7 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Memorial services held on Friday, December 7, 2007 @ 2:00 PM in the Moosehaven Chapel, conducted by Rev. Helen Taylor and Officers of Opportunity Lodge. Please sign the family’s online register book at www.broadusraines.com. Cremation arrangements are under the care of Broadus-Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring St., Green Cove Springs, FL (904) 284-4000.