Frederic Howard Reeder

Frederic Howard Reeder, a 32-year resident of London, Ohio, died Monday, July 13, in Columbus. The former school superintendent was 81.

He met his wife, LaDonna Byer, 1962 at the Marshall University student union, when they were undergrads. They danced that day, and they kept on dancing through 55 years of marriage.

Born in Huntington on April 26, 1939, he served in the Marines from 1958-62. After teaching in the Cabell County school district, he obtained a master's degree from Marshall in 1970 and became an administrator in 1972 in the Mount Healthy school district in Cincinnati. He then was assistant superintendent in Port Clinton, Oh., before moving in 1981 to Southeast Ohio to become superintendent for the Warren Local school district. He also served for the Madison-Plains and South Point local school districts.

Along with his wife, he gave back to the community by volunteering with Meals on Wheels and Madison Health Hospital in London. For their work, they were named to the Central Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame in 2019.

While he would never again live in West Virginia after 1972, he loved Huntington and Marshall. He had stacks of Marshall athletic clothing, he'd sing the school's fight song upon request, and he would always let you know on June 20 that it was West Virginia's birthday.

A talented golfer and eternal optimist, he could (and did) talk to anyone, and everyone who knew him will remember his laugh and terribly corny jokes. He loved a new audience where he could try out his best lines, making the old audience (his family) groan.

His family was his greatest joy.

Along with his wife, he is survived by children Rebecca (Scott) Osborne of New Albany, Oh., and Fred Jr. (Jennifer) of South Lebanon, Oh.; grandchildren Jack Scarfe, and Charlie and Annie Reeder; siblings Peggy Miller of Tennessee, Nancy Tully of West Virginia, Patty Arthur of Virginia and David Reeder of Mississippi; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Phyllis (Parker), and a brother, Dick Reeder of Oklahoma.

A private graveside service will be Friday at Sunset Cemetery in Galloway, Oh. Memorials can be made in Fred's name to St. Jude's at www.stjude.org. Condolences for the family can be sent to www.eberlefisherfuneralhome.com.

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