Rea Wallace Reid (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Rea Wallace Reid was born in Falcon, Missouri, on March 18, 1933, the eldest son of Chester and Myrtle Pearcy Reid. Attending small rural schools in his elementary years, he graduated from Lebanon High School in 1949, and attended college at Southwest Missouri State.
Soon after, he met the love of his life, his soul mate and best friend, Ida Mae Jones, and the two were married on October 18, 1952. In time, they brought “the boys” into the world, their two sons, Rod and Randy.
Rea is survived by his wife, Ida, of the home; two sons, Rod Reid, and his wife, Becky, and Randy Reid, and Kathy Stamper, all of Lebanon, Missouri; four grandchildren, Chris, Casey, Ryan, and Jennie; two great-grandchildren, Wynston and Jennissa; a brother, Rick Reid, and his wife, Sharon, of St. Louis, Missouri; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and many friends.
Rea never did anything “half” way. He was a deep thinker who established high standards for himself and all those around him, putting his heart and soul into each and every endeavor he undertook. He successfully pursued three careers, providing for his family, helping others and impacting lives for the better all along the way.
In 1951, he started what would be a thirty year career in civil service at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He directed the Self Service Supply Center, and then moved on to become the Position Classifier in civilian personnel until 1976. He then requested – and was granted – a transfer to Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada. Becoming well acquainted with the Thunderbird aviation team was a definite highlight of this assignment as Rea loved all the technical aspects of flying and airplanes. He continued his service there until 1980, at which time he retired from civil service.
Rea’s second career was in the world of retail. Having co-founded Shepherd Hills Gift Shop in 1972, with Ida, and incorporating with their two sons, Rod and Randy, the family-owned and operated business had gained a firm footing and was just beginning to grow as Rea and Ida returned to Lebanon in 1980. Adding a second location in Osage Beach, Missouri, was just the first of several expansions that would eventually encompass seven states. Rea had an incredible gift for master-minding an operation with efficiency, effectiveness, organization, and resolve to do the right thing. He loved the challenge, but even more, he appreciated having the opportunity to share the adventure and the work load with those he loved most, Ida and “the boys”. All in all, as Shepherd Hills grew, he designed and facilitated the build out of over sixteen different retail locations, and then, what is perhaps the crown jewel of his design acumen, he designed and oversaw the building of the Lebanon location of the Shepherd Hills Factory Outlets, completed in 2000.
His interests then turned to the raising of purebred Angus cattle. And thus, his third career began. Establishing Shepherd Hills XX Cattle Company with his sons, Rod and Randy, they enlisted the expertise and know-how of Brad Curl as the Shepherd Hills Cattle Company General Manager. The times the four of them spent talking cattle, working cattle, along with the everyday tasks required of Angus Breeders, were among the happiest times of Rea’s life, all the while, as a team building the XX Brand of Angus to be a brand that one could be proud of.
Rea was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church in Lebanon.
Rea loved life, respecting equally the beauty and wonder of a bird’s nest as well as that of a supersonic jet. He appreciated the opportunity to experience life’s mysteries and adventures.
Having great love for his family and friends, he will be remembered by many as a friend indeed in their greatest hour of need. Always willing to take time out to help his fellowman, he was often known to go above and beyond what was expected of him. The type of friend that’s rarely found, he had along history of serving others as a member of the Laclede County Masonic Lodge # 83 A.F. & A.M. in Lebanon since 1967, then the Scottish Rite Valley of Joplin as a 32nd Degree Mason.
A truly special person, with many gifts, Ida, Rod, Randy, and the rest of Rea’s family and friends feel especially blessed to have had the love, influence and guidance of Rea in their lives. He did so much for so many, teaching us all valuable life’s lessons, and giving us many very happy and special memories that we will hold in our hearts forever.
What’s your fondest memory of Rea?
What’s a lesson you learned from Rea?
Share a story where Rea's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Rea you’ll never forget.
How did Rea make you smile?