Robert Cleveland Reed

Robert (Bob) Cleveland Reed, 74, passed away peacefully on April 7, 2017, at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, Texas, surrounded by the love of his family and his friends. Bob was born on April 4, 1943, in Memphis, Texas, to John Wesley and Juanita Hall Reed. He is preceded in death by his parents. Bob is survived by his wife of thirty-eight years, Cheryl Cruse Reed. He is also survived by two sons: Robert Darren Reed and wife, Monica; and Austin Cruse Stratton and three daughters: Kelli Reed Mercer and husband, Steve; Staci Stratton Krosby and husband, Tor; and Michele Reed Gutierrez and husband, Beto; as well as, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Bob's parents and he moved to Groom, Texas, where he spent his childhood and teen years. He was an outstanding football player during his high school years, and, also, a track star and a member of the State Champion FFA Club as well as a trumpet player in the band. After graduating from high school, he proudly served in the United States Army Nuclear Program in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Bob married Cheryl Cruse Stratton on November 10, 1978, a marriage that was filled with love and partnership in family, business and travel. He was an entrepreneur extraordinaire – the owner of an alarm company, a rubber plant business, a seafood export business, a car dealership and a hotel in Cancun. His true passion in business was found in RLS International, a highly successful transportation company that specializes in shipping freight to Mexico, the United States, and Canada – examples include relocating the U.S. Hershey Chocolate Company plants to Mexico, transporting steel for the building of Minute Maid Park and the late ExxonMobil and Chevron expansion projects. In recent years, Luis Guerra, his business partner and protégé, has managed the business, allowing Bob more leisure time to travel.

Travel…Bob did, indeed, always looking forward to his extensive travels with his family. He enjoyed the excitement of planning trips to places like Prague, Paris, Venice, Turks and Caicos' and most recently New York City. Some of his happiest moments were watching his granddaughters experience the wonders and the enchantment of visiting different places and learning different cultures. ""Bobby"" always made their 'Storybook Trips"" fun realities for them. He loved being a grandfather more than anything and always supported their hopes and dreams.

Bob taught ""by example""- he lived his life with integrity, honesty, fairness, generosity and love. He was a selfless man, who spent his life helping others in family, in friendship, and in business. For all of us who knew him, we hope that we can live up to his legacy.

A visitation will be held at St. Mark's United Church, 3811 North Main, Baytown, Texas 77521, on Monday, April 17, 2017 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. After visitation, the memorial service will follow in the Sanctuary at 1:00 p.m. with a reception following the service.

In lieu of flowers, for those desiring, memorial contributions for Bob may be made to St. Mark's United Methodist Church Memorial Fund.

To view the online obituary or to post a tribute for the family, go to www.navarrefuneralhome.com

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Navarre Funeral Home, 2444 Rollingbrook Dr. Baytown, TX 77521 (281) 422-8111.