Wednesday, December 13, 2000
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Wednesday, December 13, 2000 |
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PTC's Fire Chief Reed succumbs to cancer
By SALLIE SATTERTHWAITE
Flags are flying at half-staff in Peachtree City to honor Fire Department Chief Gerald Reed Jr., who died at Emory University Hospital Saturday morning following a year-long battle with cancer. He was 51. A procession of the city's fire apparatus (see box) will bear the chief's body from C.J. Mowell and Son Funeral Home to Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran Church for a memorial service with full honors at 2 p.m. today. The Rev. John Weber, long-time Fire Department volunteer firefighter/paramedic and chaplain and Reed's friend for 25 years will lead the service in what is expected to be a packed sanctuary. Both career and volunteer firefighters have planned and rehearsed today's honors since word came of their chief's death. Peachtree City Mayor Robert Lenox called Reed "a man of principle... who cared deeply for his family and the many friends he had in the department and in the community." A biography released by the city says that Reed was born in Washington, D.C. and grew up in Maryland. After serving four years in the U.S. Army, he moved to Peachtree City in 1973. Two years later he joined the Fire Department as a volunteer, and was hired in February 1976, becoming a captain in 1980. The city appointed him chief in April 1983 upon the retirement of the founder and first chief of the department, Myron D. "Brother" Leach. When Reed moved to Peachtree City, its population was less than 2,500. When he took over its leadership, the Fire Department was still primarily volunteer, with eight full-time employees and two fire stations. Today more than 34,000 live in the city and are served by a department of 43 full-time professionals and 45 volunteers based in four fire stations. Mayor Lenox paid tribute to Chief Reed: "Gerald was a man of principle who capably and effectively led in providing this vital service to our residents. He will be greatly missed by the Fire Department, city staff and Peachtree City's citizens, not only for his knowledge and experience in serving our community, but also for his dedication." Reed is survived by daughters April Reed and Michelle Callahan, son-in-law Mike Callahan, grandsons Andrew Pate, 4, Bradley Reed Callahan, 3 months, and Gracie Michelle Burton, who was born the day before her grandfather died. Other survivors include Reed's parents, three sisters and a brother. C.J. Mowell and Son Funeral Home, Peachtree City, was in charge of arrangements. The family requests that donations be made in Reed's memory to The American Cancer Society Winn Dixie Hope Lodge, 1552 Shoup Court, Decatur, GA 30033. Funeral route for Chief Reed 12:45 p.m. Funeral procession (Fire engine #81 carrying Chief Reed and Honor Guard, Medic 81, Rescue 8, Family) departs Mowell's Funeral Home. Entourage will proceed south on Robinson Road to Peachtree Parkway, then north on Peachtree Parkway passing Station 83 to arrive at church at approximately 1:15 p.m. 2 p.m. Funeral services at Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran Church in Peachtree City. Service will include taps, flag folding and presentation, emblem presentation, bell ringing, bagpipes, last radio call and fading siren. 3:30 p.m. (Time approximate after funeral service and assembly of apparatus.) Procession will proceed north on Peachtree Parkway past Station 82 under crossed aerials with suspended American flag. Procession will proceed north on Peachtree Parkway to Ga. Highway 74 past Station 84, then proceed south on Hwy. 74. At Kedron Drive, the procession will pass under a water arch and a flight of medical helicopters flying in the "Missing Man" formation. Procession will proceed south on Hwy. 74 to Paschall Road and Station 81, where a reception will be conducted at the new fire station. Engine 81 with Chief Reed will continue past the station and return to Mowell's Funeral Home.
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