Randall Robert Reed, 100, of Canaan Valley, West Virginia passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family. He was born and raised on his 500 acre farm “Highland View Farm” in Canaan Valley, a son of the late Lindsay and Addie (Yokum) Reed. “Randy” was the 8th of 9 children.
He attended Cosner School, a one room school house, and graduated from Davis High School in 1939, and was very active in 4H. Randy served in the Navy during WWII. He received both a
B.S. and an M.S. Degree in Animal Science from West Virginia University, and later received a Ph.D. at Ohio State University in majoring in Animal Science reproductive physiology and genetics. Dr. Reed served on the faculty of the Animal Science Departments at WVU, Rutgers University, and spent the major part of his career, 27 years, at Ohio State University. He joined the Teaching and Research Faculty in 1957. As a part of his teaching assignment, he coached the OSU Livestock Judging Team, winning the 1964 national championship competing against 38 other colleges and universities. Becoming an accredited judge for many national breed associations, he worked most state and national shows east of the Mississippi in addition to the National Western in Denver. Along the way, he made lifelong friends, the dearest was his wife Marilyn, the OSU Radio Television Home Economics Editor. They were happily married in 1967 and shared career ambitions until her early death at age 55. Together, they hosted farm weekends in WV for their friends and family and were tour hosts on several overseas farm tours.
At the time of his retirement, he was Chairman of the beef research, resident teaching, and extension faculty in the Animal Science Department. He was an honorary and professional member of several organizations including the American Academy of Animal Science, Alpha Zeta (honorary), Gamma Sigma Delta (honorary), Epsilon Sigma Phi (honorary) and is an honorary Kentucky Colonel. He was the first recipient of the Ohio Beef Industry Service Award in 1981, sponsored by the Agri Broadcasting Network. He traveled and studied the agriculture industry in 17 foreign countries and 47 states.
After retirement, Randy spent the winters in Bonita Springs and Lehigh Acres, FL., while returning to the farm he loved in the summer. He was an avid golfer and was very skilled at playing cards and no matter where he resided, he was always a member of a Friday night prayer group. He loved to travel and saw the world with wives Marilyn and Margie and dear friends Gene and Karen Isler, and Bob and Jewell Evans. In 1981, Chip Chase came to the farm and renovated an old ski shack to become what is now the White Grass Ski Touring Center. He became an early caretaker and raised his family on the farm. Through Randy’s vision and commitment, Highland View Farm was selected the Tygart’s Valley Conservation Farm of the Year for 1988.
He is survived by one daughter Robin Reed Kalog and husband Thomas of Davis, WV and one great grandson Evan Reed of Columbus, OH, numerous nieces and nephews, and many special extended family members.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife and the mother of his children Nancy Forester O’Hara, his second wife Marilyn Mason Reed and third wife Marge Clinger; one daughter, Karen Sue Reed; one grandson, Robert Reed; four brothers, Willy D, Lindsay Jr., Kelly and Marvin; four sisters, Gertrude, Ina, Nellie and Margaret.
The family would like to give a special thanks to Dr. Ed Rader, Davis Home Health, Mtn. Hospice and his private caretakers whose help made it possible for us to care for him at home.
A public funeral was held 1 p.m., Monday, September 13, 2021 at the Highland View Farm, 17 Highland View Lane, Canaan Valley, Davis, WV. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Randall R. Reed Agriculture Scholarship Fund #3S799. Hinkle-Fenner Funeral Home was honored to be serving the Reed family at this time.