Raymond Alan Reed

West Lebanon, NH – Raymond Alan Reed, 69, died Wednesday May 31, 2017 at home in West Lebanon surrounded by his family.

He was born January 6, 1948 in Lebanon, NH a son of Wendell Guy and Dorothy Elaine (Dutton) Reed. Ray grew up and attended schools in Cornish and Plainfield and graduated from Windsor High School. He then earned his degree from Leland Powers School of Radio, Theater, and Television in Boston before returning to the Upper Valley and beginning his career in radio at WTSL. Shortly after that he was drafted into the Marine Corps, serving two years during the Vietnam War. Ray was married to Nan Van Hoesen February 28, 1970 and they made their home near Camp Pendleton in California until he was honorably discharged from the Marines. They then returned to New Hampshire where Ray resumed his career in radio. They lived in Newport and Claremont, NH for a short time until settling in West Lebanon where they raised their family and have lived for over forty years.

Ray was known as "The Voice of Valley" for many years through his career with area radio stations including WNHV and WTSL. After radio he worked as a customer service representative with Granite Air in West Lebanon until retiring. During his retirement Ray enjoyed leading the weekly current events groups at the Valley, Woodstock and Hanover Terraces.

Over the course of his career he received many awards and honors including receiving and honorary degree from Lebanon College, serving as MC at the annual VT Epilepsy auction, announcer at the Quechee Polo Field, and involvement at several area parades including as Grand Marshall of the West Lebanon Alumni Parade and judge and commentator at the Plainfield Fourth of July Parade.

In his free time Ray enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, particularly hiking, photography, time in the sun on the beach and yearly vacations at Crystal Lake in Enfield.

He is survived by his wife, Nan, of West Lebanon; his daughters Shannon Reed of Lebanon and Stephanie Reardon and her husband Shaun of Grantham; grandchildren Rowan Tatun, Carson and Henry Jones and Jude and Nathaniel Reardon; his mother Dorothy Reed of Nashua; siblings Linda Taylor and her husband Richard of Harrisville, NH, David Reed and his wife Brenda of Charlestown, NH, Wendy Reed and her husband Jim Dore of Nashua, and Robin Reed and her partner Neal McBain of Plainfield; many nieces and nephews; mother-in-law Marian Eastman of Springfield, VT and close family friend and former exchange student Burak Oner of Istanbul, Turkey.

Friends may call at the Knight Funeral Home in White River Jct., Sunday June 4th from 7-9PM. A funeral service will be held at the West Lebanon Congregational Church Tuesday June 6th at 11AM. Burial will take place in the Southview Cemetery in Randolph at a later date.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the Epilepsy Foundation of Vermont, PO Box 6292, Rutland, VT 05702 or the Upper Valley Land Trust, 19 Buck Road, Hanover, NH 03755.