| Death | 19 September 2011 | Reed was born June 21, 1921, in Garfield, Idaho, to David Ray and Ivy Jensen Crystal. He was the sixth son out of nine boys and one daughter. Reed went to school in Ucon and graduated from Ucon High School in 1939. He served as a missionary in the Northwest States Mission for the LDS Church. Following his release as a missionary, World War II was in full force; however, Reed did not have to serve.
He met the love of his life, Roba Jardine, in March of 1944. They dated and were married Nov. 20, 1944, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They lived in Grant, Idaho, for the first couple of years, where Reed worked for Wayne DeBell. In 1952, he and Roba moved to Acequia and farmed on the Northside, where they removed sagebrush and cleaned the land. They later moved to Hansen, where they farmed and milked cows and made lifelong friends. In 1955, they moved back to Rupert and Reed drove back and forth to the farm. In 1956, they relocated to the farm at 500 W. 1100 N. of Paul, where they farmed for 26 years. Together, they raised six wonderful but somewhat crazy children. In 1980, they moved to Buhl and continued farming for the next 10 years. They always made friends wherever they lived.
Reed and Roba served in the Washington Seattle LDS Mission from 1990 until 1991. They then returned to Paul, residing in the Mini-Cassia area. During his retirement years, Reed opened a carpet cleaning business and worked many, many long and hard hours. He loved people and always talked to everyone. There was never a stranger that did not end up his friend.
He served in the LDS Church throughout his life. He was a counselor in several bishoprics, bishop, high councilor, worked in the Young Men's organization and gave countless hours of compassionate and oftentimes anonymous service for whatever reason. He also served in the Boy Scouts of America and had received the Silver Beaver Award. He loved life and found beauty everywhere he went.
Reed's favorite sayings were, "I'll love you forever, plus two weeks," and "Let's take a trip to the moon." We hope the moon survives his trips.
He is survived by his children, Billy Ray and Silvia Crystal of Burley, Janet and Ken Blacker of Rupert, David J. Crystal of Idaho Falls, John T. and Colleen Crystal of Rexburg, and Scott and Perrianne Crystal of Paul; 25 grandchildren; 60 great-grandchildren (with one additional great-grandchild to be born in November); his sister, Elaine Hogan of Hamer; many nieces and nephews; and all of his friends. Reed was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife, Roba; his beloved daughter, Dixie Crystal; his brothers, Jerald, Zay, Floyd, Lynn, Rex, Wayne, Gail and Don; a grandson, Richard Blacker; and two great-grandsons, Ben and Aaron Blacker. | Rupert, Minidoka, Idaho, United States of AmericaG |