Obituary of Norman Charles Reed

Norman was born to parents Marvin and Svea Reed on November 23, 1958 in Barrhead, Alberta.  On October 4, 1960 Norman became a big brother to his only sister Donna.  Norman spent the early years of his life in Barrhead with his parents and Donna. In 1964 the family made the permanent move from Barrhead to Fort St. John, BC.  Once living in Fort St. John, the family lived on a farm in Rose Prairie until Norman started Grade 8, when the family made the move to town, however, they continued farming the farm in Rose Prairie. 

Norman was always a little mischevious, we can all remember that mischevious little grin of his.  When Norman was about 10, he just could not resist finding the Christmas presents early, he pulled out his Bow and Arrow to have some fun, lost all the arrows, before Christmas in the snow, put it back in the box, only to open it at Christmas to a bow and no arrows.  His mother was quite upset over this, so she of course returned it to the store and got a new one.  Norman was quite happy when the snow melted and he had an additional 3 arrows to play with. 

Norman always had a love of driving, from a young age, he would always pretending to drive, and then as he got older, it didn’t matter what it was, you could find him in the drivers seat.  Norman’s love of driving helped him pursue a life long career, which kept him in the drivers seat for over 40 years.  In 1979 his parents embarked on a new journey with their farm in Buick Creek.  On the days that Norman was not behind the wheel of his big truck, you could often find him out in Buick behind the wheel of a tractor working on the farm. 

His love of driving also helped him in other ways.  While working as a Driver at Petro Canada for Doug Wiles in 1985, he met Doug’s daughter, Brenda Wiles for who he would go on to create a wonderful life with.  Brenda and Norman Wed on July 9, 1988.  After they got married, Brenda and Norman moved into the teacherage at Buick Creek, Brenda taught at the school while Norman and his dad had dreams of starting a pig farm…. (I  for one, am glad that didn’t happen).  In July 1989, Norman and Brenda left the life at Buick and moved into their home in Fort St. John to prepare for embarking on their next journey.  On January 9, 1990 Brenda and Norman welcomed their first born, Melissa, followed by Travis on March 27, 1992 and Rebecca on June 1, 1994.  As a kid, I remember the joy of getting to go to work with dad, getting up early, eating chips and chocolate bars for breakfast lunch and dinner and travelling in the big truck.  Travis recalls, all the long hours working with dad on the truck and all the meaningful life lessons he learned from his dad.  Rebecca shared her dad’s love of visiting museums. One of her favorite memories is when she visited the TELUS World of Science with him.  Over the years Brenda recalls how Norman changed his style of dressing. To begin with he had to wear cowboy boots, snap up long sleeve shirts and cowboys until the later years were he wore shorts and Tshirts. One time camping with his family, his niece Angela said what happened to Uncle Norman as he was sitting on his camping chair wearing his shorts, sandals, sunglasses and a straw cowboy hat. 

Norman loved being a dad, he worked hard to provide for his family and provided a very fulfilling life for his Children.  The family often spent summers travelling to various destinations over the Okanagan and Alberta.  Norman would often start these trips off with his running joke of “Hell on Wheels (insert year here)” But as long as we accompanied him to a museum, he was a happy man.  

Normans love of his children, was great, but the love for his 5 grandchildren was even greater.  He lived to be a grandpa, and being a grandpa was his greatest joy.  He loved to spoil his grandbabies.  Grandpa played numerous card games with his grandchildren and would always play what ever games they would come up with.  The kids always knew that Grandpa had a treat for them, whatever the grandchildren wanted, the grandchildren got, but the favourite memory of grandpa is rides around the neighbourhood in the lawn mower wagon. 

In 2015, Norman gained his best friend Chunk.  Chunk went everywhere with Norman.  He came to work with Norman, and was a loyal companion.  One time, while working on a cold day, Chunk did not want to get out of the truck.  Norman got out to do his thing, got back in his truck.  After a few minutes down the road he noticed Chunk was missing.  He looked in his review mirror to see Chunk chasing after him.  He never made this mistake again. 

On a random day in 2022, Norman went up town to run a few errands, upon returning home, he announced, his errand was going to the government building to downgrade his licence, he had decided it was time to retire. Norman loved all the free time he had with retirement, he loved relaxing with Chunk, and spending his time however he wanted. 

Sadly, on July 4, 2024, after a courageous battle with cancer, Norman passed away with his Wife and 3 children by his side.  Norman fought hard, and he will be missed dearly.

He is survived by his wife, Brenda, His children Melissa and Steve Meidlinger, Travis and Elisha Reed, Rebecca Reed, his grand children Natalie, Emerlynn, Alyson, Charley, and Thomas, his sister Donna and Daryl Massee, and many other family members and friends, and of course, his best friend and co pilot Chunk.

Norman was predeceased by his Parents Marvin and Svea Reed, and his mother and father in law Doug and Yvonne Wiles.   

On behalf of Norman’s family, we would like to sincerely thank Dr. Wright and all the wonderful nurses, doctors and care aids at the Fort St. John Hospital an Vancouver General Hospital, who so graciously cared for Norman over the last couple of months. 

We love and miss you dad. 

There will be a service for Norman, at the Charlie Lake Community Hall on Monday July 15, 2024 at 1:00 pm, followed by a memorial tea.

Donations in memory of Norman can be made to the Kordyban Lodge in Prince George. Donate here