Earl Sheffield Reed Jr passed away on August 19, 2024. Earl is survived by his wife Dorothy, brother Sumner, children Jennifer and John, and grandchildren Jessica and Aidan.
Earl was born on February 4, 1944, to father Earl Sheffield Reed Sr. and mother Lucibel Lord Reed in Bainbridge, GA. The Reed family later moved to Marianna, FL where they spent the remainder of Earl’s youth. He attended Marianna High School and graduated in 1962. After high school, Earl attended the Citadel in Charleston, SC. Earl graduated from the Citadel in 1966 as a Second Lieutenant (Lt.) in the Air Force.
Earl’s boyhood dream of becoming a pilot began after graduation when he was assigned to Moody Air Force Base (AFB) in Georgia in 1967 to begin his training. Earl was trained as a pilot for the F-4 Phantom fighter aircraft and was later sent to Vietnam where he flew over 400 combat missions in his two tours in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam war. Upon his return from the war, Earl became a flight instructor for the F-4 Phantom and later the F-15 Eagle aircraft. Following his last tour at the Pentagon in Washington D.C., Earl retired from duty as a Lt. Colonel with over 21 years of service. During his career in the Air Force, Earl achieved numerous accommodations and honors, to include seven (7) Distinguished Flying Crosses, twenty-two (22) air medals, and five (5) Meritorious Service Medals amongst others.
Following his retirement, Earl made his home in Alexandria, VA and transitioned to careers in international business affairs and consulting. Earl was also an active member of the community through his membership in the Rotary Club, and volunteer efforts with his church and the Mount Vernon estate. His love and passions included country music, car shows, car races, watching sports with his children and grandchildren, and traveling the world with his wife Dorothy throughout his military career. Earl will be remembered by his family and friends as a loving family man with a quick wit and wonderful sense of humor.
A Celebration of Life and burial at Arlington National Cemetery are yet to be determined.