Danny Ray Reed Sr.

LERONA - Danny Ray Reed, Sr., 76, of Lerona, passed away on Sunday, October 9, 2022 at his home. Born May 18, 1946, in Herndon, he was the son of the late Coy Reed and Marie Williams Reed. Danny graduated from Herndon High School in 1964 and entered the United States Army. He served four years in the army and was a veteran of the Vietnam War. For his service, he earned a Purple Heart and achieved the rank of Sergeant. After leaving the military, he worked at Western Electric in Columbus, OH from 1968 until 1970. Upon returning to WV, he worked as a coal mining foreman for the next 25 years. On June 1, 1968, he married Sonja (Burke) Reed in Columbus, OH. They moved to Princeton, WV in 1970 and raised two children, Angela and Danny, II. Danny was an avid fisherman. He loved taking an annual fishing trip with his son to Lake Erie to fish for walleye. He had a keen appreciation for music and taught himself how to play the guitar. You could often find him playing bluegrass tunes with friends and family on the weekends. He and his daughter performed together for many visitors to the Reed home. He tried his hand at hobbies too numerous to count including gunsmithing, woodworking, gardening, and tanning leather. Perhaps his family will remember him most for ritually completing the daily crossword at the kitchen table each morning. He was a compassionate soul wrapped in a tough exterior who was willing to give the shirt off his back to anyone who needed it. Through everything, Danny was dedicated to his family. He worked hard to make sure his children had opportunities that he did not have. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Bernice Bailey, Mona Compton and Barbara Reed; and two brothers, Robert Reed and Toby Reed. Survivors include his loving wife of 54 years, Sonja Burke Reed; brother, Fairley Reed of Lerona; daughter, Angela Reed Summer and husband Jonathan of Pittsburgh, PA; son, Danny Ray Reed, II. of Lerona; granddaughter, Emma Reed of Shreveport, LA; grandson, Connor James Summer of Pittsburgh, PA; and several nephews and cousins. Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, October 13, 2022 at the Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton with Rev. J. Paul Furrow officiating. Entombment will follow in the Roselawn Memorial Gardens Mausoleum in Princeton. The family will receive friends Thursday, October 13, 2022 from 12:00 p.m. until service hour at the Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton. To view a video tribute to Mr. Reed, or share condolences with the family, please visit www.bailey-kirk.com.

Tributes

Danny Ray Reed Sr.

May 18, 1946 - October 9, 2022