Robert Paul ‘Bob’ Reed, 69, died Sunday, Feb. 17 at home in Soulsbyville, with his wife and daughters at his side after a longstanding battle with Alzheimer’s.

He was born in Hinckley, Minn. He lived in Oakdale for 25 years and lived in Soulsbyville for the last 13 years.

Mr. Reed was an educator and humbly affected countless lives throughout his 69 years of life and 36 years as an educator/founder of Valley Oak High School.

He loved animals of all kinds, enjoyed woodworking, fishing, traveling, the great outdoors, and tinkering around the ranch house that he built and resided at for 25 years.

He was always active in the church, teaching Sunday school and even serving on two mission trips to Africa and Spain. He attended Sierra Foothills Community Church in Oakdale and Christian Heights Assembly of God in Sonora. He loved the Lord and it showed.

He was an exceptional man who lived life to the fullest. He was an extremely loving man, a devoted husband, “daddy,” “grampy,” son, brother, uncle, and a friend to all who knew him. His family adored him and his friends respected him. He will be deeply missed.

He is survived his wife, Julie Reed of Soulsbyville; daughters, Kimberly Cross of Salida, and Steffenie Dickey of Scott’s Valley; brothers, Don Reed, Al Reed; sisters, Molly Holetz, Joan Kimball; mother-in-law, Frances Steffen; and five grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father, Don Reed; mother, Mary Reed; father-in-law, Bert Steffen; and grandson, Kristopher Dickey.

A service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 2 at Christian Heights Assembly of God, 13711 Joshua Way, Sonora. Place of interment will be St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Sonora.