Thomas C Reed

Our beloved father, Thomas Chancellor Reed, R.Ph., passed away on Saturday, January 24, 2026, in Tucson, Arizona, at the age of 81, while doing what he loved—attending a University of Arizona basketball game at McKale Center.

He is survived by his daughter, Dana Reed-Kane (Michael); son, David Reed (Tina); brother, John Reed; grandchildren, MacKinzie Kane, Garrett Kane, Keegan Reed, Brady Reed, and Jackson Reed; niece, Kimberly DeVault; nephews, Brian DeVault, Scott Reed, and J.J. Reed; and dear companion, Anne Gordon. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Ellen Reed, and his parents, Chancellor Josiah Reed and Ruth Richardson Reed.

Tom was born on January 16, 1945, in Oswego, New York. He attended Fitzhugh Park School (K–9), where he played basketball in eighth and ninth grade. In 1960, he moved to Tucson with his family and attended Rincon High School, where he met his wife, Ellen. Following in the footsteps of both his father and grandfather, Tom carried forward the family tradition as a third-generation pharmacist, graduating from the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy in 1969. Tom proudly served in the United States Army as a First Lieutenant in the Signal Corps, stationed at Fort Gordon, Georgia, from 1970 to 1972. Following his military service, he worked as a pharmacist at the Prescription Shop in downtown Tucson until purchasing Jones Drug Company in 1979 from Walter Hafley. Tom was a deeply caring pharmacist who loved his profession and the legacy it represented. To further continue this legacy, Tom opened Reed’s Compounding Pharmacy in 1998 with his daughter Dana and sold Jones Drug Company in 2001. Tom and Dana worked alongside each other until 2013 when he retired.

A pioneer in the field of compounding pharmacy, Tom was one of the last true independent pharmacy owners in Arizona. In fact, when Tom closed Jones Drug Company, it was the longest running independent pharmacy left in the State of Arizona. In recognition of his professional contributions, he received the Jack R. Cole, Ph.D. Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy in 2024.

Tom had a lifelong love for the University of Arizona, especially its athletic programs. He enjoyed attending basketball, football, baseball, softball, and gymnastics events over the years with family and friends. He also loved golfing with his son, grandchildren, and friends; sharing meals with his Friday lunch bunch; gathering with his “Dummies” group; camping and traveling; breakfasts with his TAE colleagues; attending pharmacy conferences; volunteering at the College of Pharmacy Museum; and remaining deeply connected with the many communities he cherished throughout his life.

Tom and Ellen were married for 43 years and shared an unbreakable bond of love and friendship until her passing on April 5, 2013. Tom Reed—beloved husband, father, brother, papa, grandpa, uncle, friend, neighbor, colleague, pharmacist, alumnus, and volunteer—made all of us better people for knowing and loving him, as he truly loved all of us. His strength, spirit, wisdom, generosity, selflessness, humor, and enduring love will live on forever in our hearts. We will always cherish our time with you, Tom.

A Celebration of Life will be held on February 20 at 3:30 p.m. at Catalina Foothills Church, 2150 E. Orange Grove Road, Tucson, AZ 85718. All friends and family are welcome. The family asks that attendees wear University of Arizona Red in honor of Tom’s love for the Wildcats. In lieu of flowers or other gifts, donations may be made in Tom’s honor to:

Reed Family Memorial Scholarship Endowment at the University of Arizona Foundation https://give.uafoundation.org/page.aspx?pid=948&id=6287dfd7-c5f4-4868-b67f-3c57e83cdd9e

or

University of Arizona Athletics – Wildcat Club Sports-Specific Scholarships Program https://giving.arizona.edu/arizona-athletics