Jere N. Reid

April 13, 1928 - January 5, 2021

Jere N. Reid, adventurer, sailor, storyteller, loving husband and all-around good guy, died Tuesday, January 5, at Baptist Memorial Hospital. He was 92. Jere was born in Blytheville, Ark., the son of Max B. and Patsy N. Reid. He graduated from Blytheville High School and the University of Arkansas. After serving with honor in the U.S. Army, Jere moved to Memphis and worked for McCormick Business Forms as an account executive. But much of Jere’s life was filled with sport and adventure. He enjoyed cycling, running, and playing with his tennis buddies for decades, even into his 80s. And his love for beer turned into a hobby after he learned how to make craft beer. He was skilled in fencing and an instructor with the Memphis Fencing Club. As if all of that wasn’t enough to fill Jere’s life, Jere followed his passion for beer and sailing and sometimes mixed the two. He participated in regattas and sailing adventures in the Caribbean and Bahamas. Certain that he would never make a commitment with a woman, Jere’s friends threw a “dog shower” for him when he adopted his four-legged companion, Abbey, a Shetland Sheepdog, after retiring from work at a young age. After hiding in the barn on her only attempt at herding sheep, Abbey retired young too. But Jere fooled his friends and surprised himself when he ran into a lady friend on a routine trip to the dry cleaners. Claire was a widow, but she had sailed with Jere in his much-younger years. They reconnected, and it didn’t take long before Jere and Claire Louise Bell Barnwell Reid were married. At the tender age of 73 and for the first time in his life, Jere finally understood what true love was all about and the joy of a new family. Claire and Jere continued their mutual love of sailing, only now with bigger boats on smaller lakes. With Claire by side, Jere had found his port of call. Jere was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Claire, his parents, a brother, Richard A. Reid; his sister, Maxine Reid Rector; and a stepson, Clifton “Louie” Bell. With the hope that they carry on his fun-loving tradition, Jere leaves three nephews, Steven Reid, Richard Reid, Jr. (Barbara) and Rob Rector (Lynn); a niece, Cindy Rector Mullican (Robert); two stepchildren, Clark W. “Rip” Bell III and Claire “Lucy” Butler (Larry); a step-granddaughter, Jennifer Lane Spaulding; and great-nephews Matt Mullican (Erin), Brett Rector and Reid Rector. Graveside services will be held Tuesday, January 12, at 10 a.m. at Elmwood Cemetery in Memphis. Jere was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church. Jere’s family asks that you remember his joyful life with a donation to St. John’s Episcopal Church.