Nathan Raymond Reed

Nathan Raymond Reed, age 47, died Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at his home surrounded by his loved ones in Alma, Arkansas after a long battle with cancer obtained through prolonged exposure to hazardous materials while serving on multiple Combat Deployments while serving in the United States Army during Operation Iraqi Freedom.   

Nathan is survived by his wife, Wendy Reed (Claycomb), seven children: Alexander Reed (28), Bailey Reed (23), Blake Reed (20), Devin Reed (15), Allie Roden (14) Djuna Roden (12), and River Bear Reed (6).  He is further survived: by his father Ronny Reed and stepmother Wanda Reed of Mena, AR, his mother Susan Grumet and stepfather Tony Grumet of Mountainburg, AR, his brother Ron Reed and wife Tosha of Paris, AR, his sister Amanda Grumet of Mountainburg, AR, his brother Micheal Seefeld of Portage, WI, and his "Memaw" Lorene Reed Bell of Paris, AR.

Nathan is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he earned numerous medals, including the Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal with VALOR, and Combat Action Badge, He was born in Riverside, CA on August 8, 1977, and he grew up in Great Falls, MT where he graduated from Charles Russell High School.  After high school, Nathan enlisted in the United States Army as an 11B Infantryman on September 10, 1998 where he served with distinction for four years before being called back onto Active Duty in the Inactive Ready Reserve to serve for the 34th Infantry Division (Minnesota) at a location called “CSC Scania”. He served on combat patrols and convoy security as a member of the elite element “Assassin 22” and was a part of over 300 combat missions. Upon completion of his mission, he returned to Arkansas and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Arkansas Tech University and went on to work at Arkansas Department of Transportation where he retired in 2021.

Nathan enjoyed hunting, fishing, dirt track racing, coaching youth athletics and spending time with his wife and children. He was an active member of VFW Post #8845 in Fort Smith, the Support a Local Wounded Veteran Organization and the Military Order of Purple Heart #587. Nathan was an extremely motivated and driven man who will be remembered for never leaving a man behind, leading from the front, and doing everything possible to improve the lives of his family members.  

He was preceded in death by his grandfather Melvin “Buddy” Reed and stepbrother Garland. Nathan’s pallbearers will be: John Jones (Friend Ozark, AR), Shae Reed (Cousin Ozark, AR), Devin Reed (Son Alma, AR) Jimmy Christie (Friend Cedarville, AR), Brian White (Friend Alma, AR), Micheal Seefeld (Brother Portage, WI),   

Evening Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at Lewis Funeral Chapel located at 4817 Kelley Hwy, Fort Smith, AR 72904. A Morning Visitation will be held prior to the Funeral Service, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 24, 2025, also at Lewis Funeral Chapel. The Funeral Service will follow, beginning at 11:00 a.m., following the Visitation. He will be interred at the Fort Smith National Cemetery located at 522 Garland Ave, Fort Smith 72901 at 1:00 p.m., also on Friday, January 24, 2025. Upon completion of honors at the National Cemetery, there will be a celebration of life at 6:00 p.m. located at BG William O. Darby Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #8845, 3005 Tilles Ave, Fort Smith, AR 72901.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Nathan’s Memorial Fund.

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