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Nicky Jack Reed was the first and only beloved child born to R.A. "Chunk" Reed and Gladys "Fern" Robertson Reed. He came into this world at the Sayre Hospital on August 13, 1945 and went to meet Jesus face to face on July 12, 2018 in the Oklahoma Heart Hospital at the age of 72 years following a prolonged battle with heart failure.
Nick attended school through third grade at New Liberty before moving to Sayre with his parents where he graduated from Sayre High School with the Class of 1963. He was the quarterback on the football team and played baseball, as well. Following graduation, he continued his education at Sayre Junior College before transferring to Southwestern at Weatherford graduating in three years with a Bachelor of Education degree. Nick’s first teaching job was in Liberal, Kansas where he taught 5th grade, coached boys’ football and basketball, and Head Start. He began working toward his Master’s in Education at the college in Goodwell by attending night classes during the school year and summer school at Weatherford after school was out.
After three years in Liberal, Nick’s dad’s failing health resulted in a move back to Sayre to help with the family cattle/farming operation. He began teaching at Sayre Elementary School in the fall of 1969 where he taught 5th/6th grades, coached elementary Athletics/P.E., and assisted with high school football. Nick continued working on his master’s degree and completed it soon after returning to Sayre. Many people encouraged him to become an administrator, but Nick was happiest in the classroom, gym, or on the football field with his students. He wanted to make a difference, and he felt like he could be a positive male role model with the younger students. After 12 years of teaching in Sayre, Nick quit to work in the oil field during the 80’s oil boom. Two years later he returned to the classroom at Fairview Elementary in Elk City where he taught 1st-4th grade P.E. for 13 years before retiring in 1996. He continued working at his second favorite job tending his cows and farming until his death.
When Nick was 12 years old he fell in love with a country girl from the neighboring school of Hext. Andrea (Andy) Whitehead fell for him, too, and they became almost inseparable. While still in high school he married his childhood sweetheart, and she became his best friend and mother to their three children. You hardly ever saw them apart, and they were happily married for 56 years.
Nick was proud to be a Southern Baptist and belonged to the Sayre FBC. Nothing made him prouder than seeing each of his children and grandchildren accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. He made sure each of them understood the importance of faith, family, love for one another, and choosing happiness for their lives. He taught by example every day until he died.
Surviving Nick are his wife, Andrea (Andy), of the home, sons, Monty and his wife Dana of Sand Springs, Tim and his wife, Allison of Edmond, daughter, Shelly, and her husband, Anthony Tarrant of Elk City. He is also survived by his four granddaughters, Jessica Hartnauer and her husband Kendall of Tacoma, WA, Ashley Reed of Sapulpa, Kendyl Reed of OKC, and Raylee Tarrant of Elk City. His oldest granddaughter blessed Nick with three great-grandkids: Malakai, Amius, and Annaliese Hartnauer. Although Nick had no siblings, he was very close to his sisters-in-law: Susan Spieker and Melody Kiener and her husband, Joe, and considered them and their families as his own. He was especially close to his cousin, Jerry Ann Bibb and her husband, Kenny, and their family. Jerry was the sister he never had and he loved her dearly. The Robertson girls were very important to Nick, and he became their anchor during trying times. He was a father figure for Kerry, Kody, and Kelly when life was tough, and he treated them and their families as his own. High school friends Lyn Long, Don Heise, and Tim Jurgensen kept in touch throughout Nick’s life and he cherished having them as friends. A special bond developed between Nick and Keith Rizley when the family moved back to Sayre. This led to a lifelong friendship between both families. Keith and Sharon were very special to Nick and Andy, and many good memories were made on the trips they took across the U.S. enjoying the sights in every state except Michigan and Hawaii.
Preceding Nick in death were his devoted parents, Chunk and Fern, his special mother and father-in-law, Frances and Elmo Whitehead, sister-in-law, Laurie Waddell, brother-in-law, Elmo Whitehead, Jr. and his son Trey, brother-in-law, Daniel Spieker, and his cousin/brother Keith Robertson and his wife, Karol Kay. Nick looked forward to the day he would be reunited with each of them. He also had three grandbabies he never got to meet before God called them home that he was excited to finally see.
Although small in stature, Nick Reed was bigger than life and stronger than his doctors could believe. He lived each day to the fullest and thanked God daily for the many blessings he was given. He was a unique man with a big heart and a hilarious sense of humor. He loved telling a good story and hearing one, too. Nick had a phenomenal memory and was the go-to guy when someone was trying to remember things which happened in the past. Studying World War II was a passion for him, and he always critiqued movies and TV shows to be sure they weren’t distorting the actual events. When his heart failed and he couldn’t do the things he enjoyed, he said he was ready to go to his heavenly home. The day he died, Nick told Andy he couldn’t think of a single thing he would change about his life. He said, "It Was Fun!"
Nick devoted most of his life to kids and he requested anyone who felt led to do something in his memory could make a donation to a charity or organization of their choice which helps children.
Arrangements are under the direction of Whinery Funeral Service and condolences can be made online at www.whineryfs.com.
Memorial Service
Friday, July 20, 2018
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Trinity
Fellowship
18953 Route 66
Sayre, OK 73662
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