Harold Eugene Reeder

Harold Eugene Reeder, known as Gene by family and friends, was born in McLeansboro, Illinois on July 8, 1937, to George W. Reeder and Alice Lucille (Mangis) Reeder. His brother Larry (Lawrence) was born in Carmi, Illinois on December 9, 1938. George and Alice divorced between 1939 and 1940, at which time Gene moved to Mount Vernon, Illinois with his mother and brother. 

 Gene and Larry attended public schools in Mt. Vernon and graduated from Mt. Vernon High School. Gene was active with baseball, playing for the high school varsity baseball team and the American Legion baseball team during the summers. 

 After graduating from high school, Gene attended and graduated from Murray State College in Murray, Kentucky. He received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in June 1959. While at Murray State, Gene was involved with the Baptist Student Union on campus, Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, and the dormitory council.

 Upon his college graduation, Gene was employed by the Veterans Administration Hospital in Downey, Illinois, just outside of North Chicago. He worked at the hospital as a payroll clerk until he was drafted and assigned to Fort Riley, Kansas in September 1960. Gene and his cadre were reassigned to Fort Carson, Colorado in August 1961 before the Army honorably discharged him on September 27, 1962.

 Gene immediately moved to Denver, Colorado and worked for Western Federal Savings as an Assistant Auditor. On September 19, 1964, Gene married Diane Elizabeth Bryan before moving to Aurora, Colorado where they purchased their first home. On February 23, 1966, they welcomed and celebrated their first-born, Jeffrey Eugene, prior to his unfortunate passing on July 4, 1966. The following year Susan Elizabeth was born on October 17, 1967, and Stacey Anne completed the Reeder family on January 14, 1970. 

 Gene and Diane raised their family in Aurora, Colorado while he continued to advance with Western Federal Savings. He retired as a Senior Vice President in 1991. By this time, the association had merged with Midland Federal Savings and changed its corporate name to Bank Western. 

 Gene and Diane’s final chapter began in Thornton, Colorado in April 1997. Gene enjoyed playing golf on a weekly, if not daily, basis. In addition to traveling, Gene and Diane enjoyed family time with Susan and Stacey and their families. One of their greatest joys was time spent with their beloved grandchildren, Reid and Regan Byrne and Logan and Riane Yost. Gene frequently referred to his “boys” as “Cowboys” and his “girls” as “Ladybugs”.

 Gene is preceded in death by his wife Diane and is survived by daughters Susan (Michael Hanson) Reeder and Stacey (Andrew) Yost including grandchildren Reid and Regan Byrne and Logan and Riane Yost.