Edward Randall Reed

Randall was born in Austin, Texas, in 1939 to Frances Marion Reed and Nita Swank. He was a very independent, and strong-willed little boy declaring at a very young age that he would “take care of me own self!” He grew up with a strong sense of family and duty, qualities that shaped the course of his life. After graduating with a business degree from the University of Texas at Austin, he proudly served his country as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army, with assignments that took him to Korea and Vietnam. Although he didn’t speak of his military experience often or comfortably, his time in ROTC and his military service instilled in him lifelong discipline, resilience, commitment, loyalty and dedication.

While attending the University of Texas, Randall met the woman with whom he would spend the rest of his life, Karen Kay Neff. They married in August of 1966 and celebrated 60 wonderful years of marriage earlier this year. Together they built a life of devotion, family, respect and love and raised their children, Bradley and KaRan, in Austin, a city Randall loved deeply.

Randall was a born entrepreneur. He began his career in partnership with his father and brother, Jerry Robert Reed, establishing a motor oil distribution business that laid the foundation for a lifetime of enterprise. For many years, he ran a successful vending machine business, Orange Arcade and Le Fun, on the drag adjacent to the UT campus, and partnered with his family in several ranch properties in South Texas. A lover of the outdoors, Randall found joy in hunting and fishing. He especially treasured teaching his son, Bradley, those skills from a young age, and the two shared some memorable days together at the ranch; hunting, fishing, and simply enjoying the outdoors that meant so much to him.

Randall was extremely proud of his children and their academic and professional achievements, taking great joy in watching them build lives and careers of their own. He was a quiet man, steady and strong. A southern gentleman in every sense of the word, he honored the women in his life, particularly his beloved wife and daughter, until his final days. He was a consistent presence for those who knew and loved him, and his strength, humility, and devotion will be remembered always.

He is survived by his devoted and dedicated wife, Karen Kay Neff Reed; his daughter, Kay KaRan Reed-Mathis, and her husband, Kyle Mathis; his son, Bradley Neff Reed, and his wife, Jennifer Lopez-Reed; and his brother, Jerry Robert Reed, and his wife, Laura Reed. Randall was the proud grandfather of Isabella Eileen Reed and Ethan Bradley Reed, of whom he was tremendously proud for their dancing and taekwondo achievements, respectively.

Randall’s life was one of love, perseverance, and dedication to family. He will be greatly missed, but his legacy lives on in the family he cherished.

The family would like to thank Drs. Narcisse and Neal at Houston Methodist Hospital and the entire team who supported Randall and Kay with exceptional care and compassion.

Special thanks to the hospice nurses and caregivers who cared for Randall in his final days: Natasha Butler, Andrea Eboufuame, Renee Spain, Kiesha Curtis, and Megan Kilton. Their gentleness, patience, and compassion honored Randall’s dignity, comforted Kay and the entire family, and brought peace during the most difficult of times. We will be forever grateful.

A private, graveside service honoring Randall’s life will be held at a later date in Austin, Texas.