Charles (Chuck) Gordon Reed, Jr., the oldest child of Charles Sr. and Shirley (Hodge) Reed, was born on April 15, 1953, at Fort Leonardwood, Missouri. He passed away on April 10, 2026, at UNMC surrounded by his wife and children, at the age of 72 years.
Chuck attended Oakland High School in Oakland, IA, graduating in 1971. Chuck was united in marriage to Deb Borland on March 28, 1981, and they recently celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary. Chuck was the loving father to four children: Doug, Jodi, Becki, and Andy.
Chuck had been in the grocery business his entire life. He began working at SuperValue in Oakland while in high school, with his parents, when they purchased the grocery store. He worked his way around Southwest Iowa, managing departments within grocery stores and running day-to-day operations at two different grocery stores. He and his brothers bought Ruback’s Grocery in January 2006, where he devoted the last 20 years of his life ensuring the Oakland community thrived in his own special way.
Chuck was an avid NY Yankees fan his entire life. He even waited in line after a game in Minnesota, with his brother Stan, to go onto the team bus and get signatures on a ball from the 1962 Yankees team. Chuck enjoyed coaching basketball, playing golf, and cheering on (or cussing out) the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team. During his later years, Chuck loved watching NCIS, Maine Cabin Masters, reruns of Tool Time, or any Sci-Fi movie he could find. But mostly, Chuck was a family man. He loved with his whole heart, whether napping with each new grandbaby on his chest, giving huge smiles and hugs after concerts or games, or giving advice to anyone that would listen. The pride and love beaming from his face was evident to everyone that saw him.
Left to cherish his memory and carry on his legacy of love and devotion are his loving wife, Deb Reed of Oakland, IA; children, Doug Reed (Camber) of Carson, IA, Jodi Reed (Tim Minor) of Council Bluffs, IA, Becki Knapp (Jeff) of Nodaway, IA, Andy Reed (Susan) of Oakland, IA; grandchildren Megan McClain (Dylan) of Carson, IA, Tyler Reed (girlfriend Kirsten Butcher) of Cedar Rapids, IA, Katelyn Reed of Carson, IA, Reagan Minor of Council Bluffs, IA, Addie Peterson and Zak Peterson of Nodaway, IA, Joslin Reed and Alex Reed of Oakland, IA; great-grandchild Huxley McClain of Carson, IA, along with one new one expected in November; brothers, Stan Reed of Oakland, IA, Phil Reed (Denise) of Oakland, IA, Brad Reed (Monica) of Omaha, NE; nieces, nephews, and many friends.
Preceding Chuck in death were his parents Chuck and Shirley.
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 11:00 AM, at the Oakland United Methodist Church. Visitation with the family will take place one hour prior to the service. An open visitation will be held at Rieken Vieth Funeral Home in Oakland on Monday, from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM. The family will not be present at any specific time. Interment will be in the Oaklawn Cemetery in Oakland. Rieken Vieth Funeral Home in Oakland is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Riverside Youth Sports or the Riverside Booster Club.
