Vee (Velma) Reid

During the depression her family moved to Kansas City, MO where she went to school through the fifth grade. Her mother and father divorced during that time.

The summer that Vee was 12, her mother took her and her brother, Milt, to Pontiac Michigan to visit friends. Her mother decided to stay there and rented a big house. She took in roomers and boarders and worked in a book store to support her family. In Vee’s junior year of High School she met Fred Reid on a blind date. They were married Nov 5th 1942, then Fred was drafted in the army for WWII and sent to Camp Howze near Gainesville, TX for basic training. Vee stayed in Pontiac to finish high school and graduated in 1943. Vee then joined Fred in Texas until he went on Louisiana Maneuvers. Vee went home and lived with her parents. Her mother remarried to Ed Thompson who was her Beloved Stepfather.

Rick was born in Pontiac the day Fred landed in France. The war ended in May 1945 and Fred’s Division was sent back to the states for a furlough and retraining, then it was off to the Philippines. During Fred’s time home Vee got pregnant with Ron. So, Fred left her not bare foot but pregnant.

After World War II the family moved to Flushing, Michigan where Fred worked for his uncle that was in the Bus Business.

In 1948 Fred reenlisted in the army and the family moved to Fitzsimons Army Hospital in Aurora CO.

From 1953 to 1955 they lived in Heidelberg Germany then got stationed back to Fitzsimons where the family stayed. Fred had an 18 month tour of duty to South Korea than back to Fitzsimons where he retired.

They had so many friends from Fitzsimons. One friend, Walt Henry, formed a group of retirees called the Gourmet Group. Those were good years and the group still meets only the original 12 is now down to 4.

Vee went to work for the Air National Guard in 1957 until 1977. She then worked at Lowry AFB until she retired in 1985. Fred died in 2005 and she stayed in her home until April 2008 then moved to San Marino Retirement Community.

Her interests included movies, reading, traveling and visiting friends. She loved the outdoors, sunrises and sunsets, the mountains and just watching the clouds.

She collected Hummel Figurines, Pewter and Art work. One of her favorites was the Artist DeGrazia.

She was a member of Valley Lutheran Church for 12 years and followed the Unity Church teachings.

Vee was preceded in death by her husband Fred who she had been married to for 62 years, her parents and brothers Milt and Bob.

She is survived by her sons Rick, Ron and her daughter in LOVE, Donna Reid.

She is very appreciative of the wonderful help from family and friends and a special friend Annette.