Thomas Schrock Reed, 87, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle passed away on July 19, 2017 in Bloomington, Indiana, in the comforting presence of his family.
Mr. Reed was born in Hammond, Indiana to Harold Brown Reed and Mary V. (Schrock) Reed on March 24, 1930. He graduated from Hammond High School in Hammond, Indiana, going on to receive a Certificate in Piano Tuning and Restoration, and ultimately earning a Master’s degree in Music Education from Truman State University. Mr. Reed honorably served our country in the United States Army and is a veteran of the Korean War. He married Mabel Louise Tomlin on December 7, 1958 in Linneus, Missouri. He worked many years as a piano tuner, technician, and teacher for Truman University (formerly Northeast Missouri State University). Moreover, Mr. Reed’s life’s work was creating and promoting an alternative music notation system, the Twinline Music Notation System with the alternative Six-Six keyboard. He distinguished himself as the founder of the Music Notation Modernization Association, dedicated to promoting and seeking an alternative music notation system. He also composed original music such as his Stepping Stones compilation, and he frequently played viola, especially with other instrumentalists in his family and community. He was an avid reader and perpetual learner, often spending his leisure hours in the local bookstores. Mr. Reed was also a passionate supporter of women’s rights, the environment, and world peace efforts, generously giving his time, talents, and resources to multiple causes. He was an enthusiastic supporter of all things which brought humans together in the name of love, including the universal language of Esperanto.
Mr. Reed was preceded in death by his father Harold Brown Reed, and mother Mary V. (Schrock) Reed.
Mr. Reed is survived by his wife Mabel Louise (Tomlin) Reed of Bloomington, IN and his five children – Scott (and Cindy) Reed of Grayslake, IL, Ann (and Charles) Ellis of West Chester, PA, Russell (and Jennifer) Reed of St. Peters, MO, Ben (and Tammy) Reed of Creston, IA, and Laurel (and Dr. Robert) Adams of Bloomington, IN. He is also survived by his brother Tully (and Mary Ann) Reed of Brookfield, MO.
Mr. Reed was preceded in death by his grandson Matthew and is survived by his 15 grandchildren - Michael, Daniel, David, Christine, Johnny, Jeremiah, Patrick, Mathew, Sarah, Arabelle, Peres, Katherine, Carson, Josh, and Liam. He is also survived by four great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation for family and friends will be held at Travis-Noe Funeral Home, 1008 West Potter Avenue in Kirksville, Missouri on Saturday, July 22, 2017 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.
Funeral service will be held at First Christian Church, 100 North High Street in Kirksville, Missouri on Sunday, July 23, 2017 at 2:00 PM. Burial will follow at Jenkins Cemetery in Browning, Missouri. Pallbearers will be his grandsons, and honorary pallbearers will be his granddaughters.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer's Association or to The Nature Conservancy. Donations may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.