Russell Neal Reed

With heavy hearts, we bid farewell to Russell Neal Reed, fondly known as "Rusty” who went home to be with the Lord after a courageous battle with Leukemia. Rusty found peace on June 22, 2023 and is smiling down on all of us from above.

Born on September 12, 1938, in Detroit, Michigan, Rusty embarked on a life journey that would leave an indelible mark on the hearts of those who knew him.

At the age of 17, Rusty enlisted in the US Army. He served several years in Alaska, forging his character and instilling in him a strong work ethic.

Following his service, Rusty joined his parents in South Florida where he met the love of his life, Marcia and they were married in November, 1962. Starting from humble beginnings in their garage, Rusty and Marcia built a thriving commercial cooking equipment service and installation business that grew to 71 employees, serving the entire state of Florida. Their dedication and hard work were an inspiration to many, and their achievements stood as a testament to the power of perseverance and teamwork.

Rusty was a man of many passions, and one of his greatest joys in life was taking to the skies as a pilot. His favorite destination was their home on North Captiva Island, where he and co-pilot Marcia created 40 years of countless memories of love, laughter, and sunsets.

Upon their retirement in 2003, Rusty and Marcia moved to the serenity of Powder Horn Mountain. Over the next 17 years, they embraced the beauty of nature and built lifelong friendships within their community. In their leisure time, Rusty and Marcia enjoyed playing Petanque, riding their Honda Goldwing trike, and playing countless games of hand and foot. The rest and relaxation at Powder Horn Mountain brought them immense joy, allowing them to connect with others and revel in the simple pleasures life has to offer.

During the last three years, Rusty and Marcia have enjoyed their time at Lake Seminole Square retirement community in Florida where they’ve had the opportunity to create new memories with their daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren and establish another community of lasting friendships.

Rusty's legacy lives on through the love and memories he leaves behind. Rusty's warm personality and genuine kindness made everyone feel cherished, and his infectious smile and playful humor could brighten the darkest of days.

Rusty is survived by his devoted wife of 60 years, Marcia, his sister Kay, his beautiful daughter Lynette and her husband, Mark, and his grandchildren Austin and Ciara, who were the lights of his life. Rusty is preceded in death by his beloved parents Russell and Thelma, who laid the foundation for the remarkable man he became.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held for Rusty at Calvary Chapel in Pinellas Park, FL on July 16th at 2pm.