Darryl Dwayne Reed

Dr. Darryl Dwayne Reed passed away, his loving family by his side, on Sunday evening, March 31, 2019, at the age of 67 years. He greeted both life and death in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Darryl was born on December 19, 1951 to his parents, James and Betty (Marlin) Reed.

Darryl spent his childhood growing up in Tulsa, mastering the unicycle, crappy fishing, banging on drums, and beating his younger siblings in go-cart races. Shortly before high school, Darryl’s family moved to Claremore, setting the scene for the rest of his life. Darryl had an abundance of friends and was very active in school, from playing sports (lettering in both wrestling and baseball) to presiding over the Math Club (which he teased his wife endlessly about her not getting accepted). *Please note it was not him who helped his kids with the math homework. During this time as a Claremore Zebra, his greatest loves began; his love of baseball… but more importantly, his lifelong homerun romance with Malinda Jennings. They were high school sweethearts and were inseparable.

Darryl was a member of the graduating class of 1970. He and Malinda then moved to Stilly for their undergraduate studies, starting their freshman year that fall at the Grandest School in All the Land----Oklahoma State University. Darryl and Malinda are lifelong OSU fans. Orange Power.

They were married in Claremore at the Methodist Church on December 30, 1972.

Upon graduating OSU in 1974 with his undergrad degree; Darryl was accepted into the OU College of Dentistry and was awarded his Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) degree in 1978.

He established his dental practice in June 1978 and his practice grew over the years due to his compassion for his patients, which he considered and treated like family. He was well-known for his chair side manner of making his patients feel at ease by telling jokes and performing magic tricks for both the young and old. He even had a popcorn machine. It’s no wonder so many claimed he made them LOVE going to the dentist.

Darryl loved being behind his drum kit and played with many bands over the years. He also was active in the community theater, not only driving his daughter to countless rehearsals but also starred in a few musicals himself. From playing Professor Harold Hill to the dentist in Little Shop of Horrors, Darryl’s resume was robust. He was an awesome BBQ grill master; well-known for making the best ribs on his beloved Hasty Bake. Darryl was a self professed foodie; he loved exploring new and different restaurants, (no matter how long the drive,) and would torture his family by reading the entire menus out loud.

When he was not at the office, he could be found at one of two places….the docks or the ball field. Darryl loved fishing and had many fishing buddies with whom he spun lots of storiesfor down at the docks. The other place was Legendary Legion Field, where he was affectionately known as Ballpark Frank. Darryl was the Minister of Music, and from his vantage point in the press box, he shared his love of America's favorite past-time with others and enjoyed watching the kids play the greatest game ever invented.

Darryl was inducted into the Legendary Legion Field Hall of Fame in the summer of 2018.

Darryl was a very sentimental and loving person with a gigantic heart. He loved spending time with his family on vacations in Tybee Island, GA. Darryl has always been a family man and loved bragging about his kids accomplishments and his adorable grandchildren. He was his family's biggest cheerleader. His very favorite thing- getting his back scratched.

He is preceded in death by his parents, James and Betty Reed.

Darryl leaves many loving memories with his family; wife and boss, Malinda Reed, of Claremore; children, Ashley (Haviland) Reed Stillwell, Jordan (Nichole) Reed, Bailey (Rory) Rositas; brother, Randy (Kellie) Reed; sisters, LaDonna (Joe) Nichols, and Tammy (David) Stein; grandchildren, Emma Reed, Parker Reed, Boston Reed, Madison Burton, Benjamin Burton; mother-in-law, Merryll Jennings; along with his longtime staff, a.k.a. his work family; as well as many other loving family members and a host of friends.

He received his final standing ovation, literally, from his family as he perfected his final magic trick- the disappearing act- as he passed. Darryl touched countless lives throughout his lifetime and will be so greatly missed. Pistols firing!

Celebration of Darryl's Life will be 2:00 PM Saturday, April 6, 2019, at the Claremore Conference Center, 1400 W. Country Club Rd, Claremore, OK 74017.

Memorial donations may be made in Darryl’s memory to the Scott Carter Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research, www.scottcarterfoundation.org, or by mail, Scott Carter Foundation, P.O. Box 700448 Tulsa, OK 74170-0448.

Arrangements are entrusted to Schaudt Tulsa Funeral Service, 5757 S. Memorial Drive, Tulsa, OK, 74145. Family and friends may send memories and condolences to the family online at www.schaudtfuneralservice.com.