Rev. Dr. Kenneth R. Reed

The Rev. Dr. Kenneth R. Reed, 90 years old, of Baton Rouge, LA, a United Methodist retired clergy, died August 30, 2022. He was born July 7, 1932, in Redwater, TX. Ken served 68 years under appointment in the United Methodist Church. He began his ministry at 17 years old, serving the Jarrell Circuit in Central Texas. For 17 years, he served churches in the Central Texas Annual Conference and in 1967 he transferred to Dallas, TX. In 1972, he was appointed to the Louisiana Conference and served University UMC in Lake Charles. From there he went to Christ UMC in Shreveport and his last local church appointment was as Senior Pastor at Broadmoor UMC in Baton Rouge. During his Louisiana service, he also served as the Baton Rouge District Superintendent on two assignments. In 1990, he became President/CEO of the United Methodist Foundation of Louisiana from which he retired from active ministry in 1998. At the request of the Foundation, he continued as an Advisor/Consultant for eight years. For the last seven years of his career, he served as a part-time pastor of the Greensburg UMC. Dr. Reed is a 30 year veteran of the National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve. As a Chaplain, he had ministered to young men and women on posts all over the US. In 1961, he was activated during the Berlin Crisis and served at Fort Polk, LA. He retired with the rank of Colonel. Dr. Reed held undergraduate degrees from Lon Morris College in Jacksonville, TX and Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX. He received a Master of Divinity from Perkins School of Theology of SMU, and a Doctor of Ministry from Drew Seminary in Madison, NJ. Dr. Reed paid his way through college on basketball and baseball scholarships. Kenneth was an old school pastor; a minister in every sense of the word, visiting and supporting his congregants unconditionally. He was a natural confidante who inspired trust and imparted wisdom to others in times of joy and pain. He was the patriarch of his family and made sure that everyone was connected and communicating. His quick, dry wit was legendary and it was sometimes hard to tell if he was kidding or serious; but he did have a tell…left eyebrow raised. He was a loyal friend and loved a good conversation. He loved reading, nice clothes, dogs, golfing, LSU football, drinking coffee with his close friends, and Jimmy Dean sausage breakfasts. He was a kind, generous and gentle man who left us with a lifetime of memories. Kenneth is survived by his daughter, Kathryn Martin (Kirk); grandchildren, Austin Reed, and Ashleigh and Peyton Martin; brother, Rev. Cecil D. Reed; sister, Wanda Wilson; and a host of other family members. He is preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Bobbie; son, Randall; parents, Walter and Gladys Reed; and brother, Rev. Eldon Reed. Visitation will be at Broadmoor United Methodist Church, 10230 Mollylea Dr., Baton Rouge, LA, on Saturday, September 3, 2022, from 1pm until the time of funeral services at 2pm. Burial will immediately follow at Greenoaks Memorial Park, 9595 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Kenneth’s name to the United Methodist Foundation of Louisiana or Broadmoor United Methodist Church in Baton Rouge. Family and friends are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.greenoaksfunerals.com