1948 - 2026
Graveside services for Richard Lee "Dickie" Reed and Vicky Reed will be held at 1:00 pm Wednesday, July 15, 2026 at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery in Winfield, Kansas,. Services are under the kind guidance of the Amy Stittsworth Funeral Service.
Richard Lee “Dickie” Reed, 77, of Braman, Oklahoma, passed away at home on July 4, 2026, in a manner altogether fitting for a man who loved his country. He spent his final day celebrating America’s 250th birthday and enjoying a bowl of homemade ice cream — ice cream he himself called the best of his life.
Richard was born August 28, 1948, in Topeka, Kansas, the son of Herbert Donald Reed and Etta Voncile Pearman. He was raised alongside four sisters, a half-sister, and a half-brother, mostly in the Wichita and Haysville, Kansas area. It was his grandfather, Pearman, who first called him “Dickie,” a name that stuck with him his whole life. As a boy he loved nothing more than a game of ball, a horse to ride, or his old scooter, and he made friends easily — none more enduring than Louis “Louie” Franklin Eilerts, his best friend from the age of five, whom he remained close to for the rest of his life.
Richard proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1968 to 1969 during the Vietnam War, rising to become a Team Leader in the 25th Infantry Division and later serving as Military Police before being honorably discharged. He carried the discipline and pride of his service with him for the rest of his days.
After returning home, Richard built a full life for himself in Clearwater, Kansas, working construction for Pizza Hut before eventually going out on his own, building and running a business recycling transmissions. He was a hard worker with a personality to match — bubbly, stubborn, and always ready with a story. More often than not, that story involved some kind of mischief, and Richard could turn even his own tall tales into the kind of memories a family holds onto for generations.
Richard was married three times. He married Vicki Steen on June 17, 1966, in Haysville, Kansas, and together they had two children, Angela Rene’ and Michael Shane. He later married Linda Martin on November 21, 1971, and they had two children together, Ted Lee and Lucianna LeAnn, raising their family in Clearwater. But it was his marriage to Vicky Jo Harper that Richard called finding his soul mate. Together they built a large, happy blended family and shared a love that lasted the rest of his life.
Standing 5’6” with a stocky build, blue eyes, brown hair, and a full beard for most of his adult life, Richard was hard to miss and even harder to forget. His favorite number was 8. He loved fishing, camping, and simply being outdoors, and counted Roaring River, Missouri among his favorite places on earth. He rode horses and motorcycles, fished and camped every chance he got, and took pride in decorating his yard and going all out for Christmas — a season he never let pass without spoiling the people he loved. He had a soft spot for music, and “The Last Kiss” always brought a smile to his face. He was devoted to his beloved dogs, Minnie and Lacey, who were by his side to the end.
Richard was preceded in death by his beloved wife and soul mate, Vicky Jo (Harper) Reed.
He is survived by his children, Angela, Shane, Ted, and Lucianna; his stepsons, Luke, John, and Joe; and many beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The family would also like to make special mention of the Hankla family, who though not related by blood, stood by Richard’s side with extraordinary love and devotion — through his final days and through the difficult time following the loss of his wife. The Reed family will be forever grateful to them.
Richard will be laid to rest with his loving wife in his arms at the Winfield National Cemetery in Winfield, Kansas.
Services are to be determined and will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memories, stories, and a toast in Richard’s honor — he always did like a good story.
Richard was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Vicky Jo (Harper) Reed, who was born November 12, 1956, and passed away December 28, 2021. Vicky was a proud Cherokee woman who cherished her heritage, her family, and life at the lake. She had a gift for crafts, a deep love of nature, and a talent in the kitchen that brought family together often. She was known for the stories she told and the wisdom she generously shared with those around her.
Richard and Vicky were married on August 19, 1994, in Miami, Oklahoma. Richard often said he knew from the start that she was his soul mate, and their bond remained a guiding light for him throughout his life. Richard and Vicky are now laid to rest together, reunited at last.
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