John H. Reed

WASHINGTON, D.C., and FORT FAIRFIELD – John H. Reed, 91, a Republican, who was governor of Maine from 1959-1966, member and chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board from 1967-1975, and U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Republic of Maldives in 1976-1977 and 1981-1985, died Oct. 31, 2012, at George Washington University Hospital, Washington, D.C., of pneumonia. Gov. Reed was born Jan. 5, 1921, in Fort Fairfield, the older son of Walter M. Reed Sr. and Eva Seeley Reed.
During his seven years as governor of Maine, Reed gained a reputation as a champion for education and economic development. It was during his tenure that the super University of Maine System was established and educational television was introduced. He was a graduate of the University of Maine and served as a naval officer in the South Pacific during World War II. In 1946 Reed entered the family business of seed potato farming. He started his political career in 1955 as representative to the Maine Legislature. After one term in the House he was elected to the state Senate. In his second term he was elected as president of the Senate. In 1959, upon the death of then Gov. Clinton Clausson, Reed became governor. He won the balance of the unexpired term in 1960. In 1962 he was elected to a full four-year term. During his tenure Reed served as chairman of the National Governors Conference and the New England Governors Association. After completing seven years as governor, Reed was appointed to the National Transportation Safety Board by President Lyndon Johnson. He was later named chairman by President Richard Nixon. In 1976 President Gerald Ford appointed him U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Republic of Maldives. From 1978 to 1981 he was director of Government Relations for the Associated Builders and Contractors. In 1982 President Ronald Reagan appointed him to a second term as U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka. After four years as ambassador, Reed returned to Washington, D.C., where he was active in a number of organizations. Among these were: the Society of Senior Aerospace Executives, the National Federation of Former Governors, the Council of American Ambassadors, the Capitol Hill Club and the Military Order of the Carabao. He was president of the Maine State Society of Washington for three terms and was a vice chairman of the National Conference of State Societies. He was also an active member of Christ United Methodist Church and a life member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Reed took leadership roles in many other organizations. He was a member and past president of Fort Fairfield Rotary Club. In Sri Lanka he was a member of two Rotary Clubs and founded a Kiwanis Club. He was a past master of Eastern Frontier Lodge, a member of Anah Temple Shrine and was currently affiliated with Monument Masonic Lodge, Houlton. For a number of years he was president of the Northern Maine Fair. During this period he served a term as president of the Maine Association of Agricultural Fairs. He was also a past president of Fort Fairfield Hospital Association and was on the advisory board of Northern National Bank. While in Fort Fairfield, he was a member and officer of United Parish Church. An avid horseman, Reed was a charter member of the United States Trotting Association. He was an owner, trainer, driver and breeder of harness race horses. He drove and won his first race at age 15. For years he campaigned a stable on the Maine fair circuit. Among his favorite horses were Case Ace – 2:03 3/4, Jay H. – 2:04 1/5, Cardinal Direct – 2:05 1/5, and Darnley Boy – 2:05. His longtime friend and Maine racing legend, James Lee McKenney, trained and drove many of the Reed horses. Reed was also a lifelong supporter of the Boston Red Sox.
Reed was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Cora Davison Reed; one brother, Walter M. Reed Jr.; and one sister, Ruth Reed Mraz. He is survived by his two children, Cheryl D. Reed of Alexandria, Va., and Ruth Reed Duford of Groveland, Mass.; three grandchildren, Reed Duford, DrewDuford Dupre and Curt Duford; and other relatives.
The viewing will take place 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7, at Christ United Methodist Church, Washington, D.C., where the funeral service will be conducted 11 a.m. Interment with Masonic Burial Rites will be conducted in spring 2013 at Riverside Cemetery, Fort Fairfield. A service of Giberson-Dorsey Funeral Home, 144 Main St., Fort Fairfield.