John Harrison Reed

John Harrison Reed, of Story, departed this life on Tuesday, August 21, 2018 at the age of 94 years, 5 months, and 9 days. He was the 5th of 8 children born to James Monroe and Nellie Ann Southard Reed on the John Garrett Reed homestead in Story. He outlived his parents and 6 siblings. Except for the years that he served in the US Army and a couple of brief periods that he worked out of state, John Harrison spent his entire life on the family homestead. Raised as Harrison, he returned from World War II as John which he called himself the rest of his life. Still, to many friends and relatives he was always Harrison. He often joked that he would answer to whatever anyone called him as long as they didnt forget to call him to dinner. He had a quick wit and loved to joke. He married Melba Jean McCormick on New Years Eve 1950. They raised two daughters in the house that he largely built by himself without training or experience. He was gifted with a creative ability to design and build virtually everything that he needed to live the simple life that he chose. He is survived by Melba, of Story; two daughters and their husbands, Glenda and Bernard Rusert of Pearcy, and Karen and Alan Rettmann of Bentonville; four grandchildren and their spouses, Kristy Middleton of Pearcy, Darren and Jenny Suitor of Midlothian, Texas, Dustin and Ali Suitor of Bryant, and Lindsay and Justin Bounds of Fayetteville; nine great-grandchildren; his brother, Paul Reed of Story; and a host of family and friends. He was a member and elder of Muddy Creek Church of God. He loved farming, hunting, fishing and spending time with his family. A celebration of John Harrisons life will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, August 25, 2018, in the Muddy Creek Church of God with Bro. Bernard Rusert and Bro. Tommy Jones officiating. Visitation will be Saturday, 1:00 PM until service time, at the church. Interment with military honors will be held in Reed Cemetery. Pallbearers are Roger Holcomb, Vaughan Reed, Vernon Morrison, Johnny Smith, Morgan Lambert, and David McCormick. Honorary pallbearers are all members of Aly Community Church, Muddy Creek Church of God and Refuge Baptist Church. Services are under the direction of Davis-Smith Funeral Home in Glenwood. Guest registry is at www.davis-smith.com.