US ARMY – Army Artillery Division, Korean War, First Lieutenant
Tully Brown Reed was born to H. B. and Mary V. Schrock Reed on August 27th, 1932 in Hammond, IN. He soon moved with his parents and older brother Thomas to Linn County, MO, graduating from Linneus High School in 1950. He studied Agricultural Science at the University of Missouri-Columbia where he was a member of Farmhouse Fraternity and ROTC. After graduation he was in the Army Artillery Division stationed at the DMZ during the Korean War and became a First Lieutenant.
He returned home to further his studies in Minerals and Soils at MU, choosing next to run the family farm in Purdin, MO raising Angus cattle and growing Scotch Pine and walnut trees. He was well-known across the county for his Christmas trees, donating a number each year to ensure those who needed one did not go without. His sense of empathy led him throughout life to constantly help others, whenever he saw a need. While in the Army Tully taught himself to play the banjo, much to the chagrin of his fellow soldiers, he always said. He eventually mastered the instrument, joining the Kansas City Ararat Rockets Dixieland Band, recording several albums and making lifelong friends. His children also enjoyed nightly serenades growing up as Tully used bath time for banjo practice. The Masonic Lodge played a significant role in Tully’s life following college. He was active for more than 61 years both as a faithful member and pass master of Jackson Lodge #82 and a dual member with Brookfield #86. Tully met Mary Ann Owen during one of many Colorado ski trips, marrying and then introducing the city-born girl to farm life in 1970. As their four children grew up, Tully taught them and many of their friends to play chess, camp, ride horseback, canoe, sail, skate and ski, to drive a stick shift on the farm and freeway, collect rocks and to generally try anything new at least once including scuba. In addition to the banjo Tully played the piano, violin and harmonica with music and by ear, instilling a lifelong love of music in his children, and turning family gatherings into impromptu concerts.
After retiring from the farm, Tully worked as the caretaker for Immaculate Conception Church, using the basement as a stained glass repair shop for the church windows, and finding a new talent and hobby. Throughout his incredible life Tully was known for his notoriously dry humor, his gentle quiet demeanor and his ability to talk to anyone about anything. He loved his family and his family loved him beyond compare. He died on February 20, 2021. He is survived by his wife Mary Ann and his four children: Amy (Jason) Montgomery, Nancy (Tim) Deily, Andrew (Stacy) Reed, and Julie (Corey) Freeman and six grandchildren.