February 15, 1930 – June 18, 2025
Lt. Col. (Retired) Morris Dale Reed, 95, passed away on June 18, 2025, at home in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. Morris was born in Knoxville, Arkansas, on February 15, 1930, to Ray and Edna Earl Reed. He graduated from Sapulpa High School in 1947. He completed a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State University in 1966 and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Hawaii in 1971. He completed his coursework toward a Doctorate in Adult and Higher Education from the University of Oklahoma.
Morris is a veteran of the Vietnam War and a true patriot. He served honorably in the United States Air Force for 28 years, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. While serving in the Air Force, he began dating Darla Edwards, who was also from Sapulpa and was working as a stewardess for American Airlines. He flew to New York City for their first official date to take her to dinner during a layover. The rest is history, and they celebrated 66 years of marriage in 2024. Morris was a dedicated professional throughout his two careers as a military officer, then, following retirement, he became a business professor at East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma. He also loved spending time with his friends known as the Rinky-Dinks at Oak Hills Golf and Country Club. Morris was affectionately known as “MD,” “Doc,” “Colonel,” or “Mo”–depending on when and where you met him. He had a dry sense of humor, was a loyal husband to Darla, and a patient father for many years to a household of three girls. Following his second retirement, Morris and Darla moved “home” from Ada to Sapulpa, Oklahoma. During their early years back in Sapulpa, Morris enjoyed gathering for coffee with the Bozo’s group and solving the world’s problems. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 170. Morris was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Sapulpa and, when given the opportunity at early church service, would always request a patriotic song from the hymnal.
Several years ago, he shared a list of life highlights with his daughters: “In 1954, I got nuked at Eniwetok from the Operation Castle project when the thermonuclear bomb nicknamed ‘Bravo’ was bigger than expected. In 1954, I went on a search mission for Amelia Earhart. In 1959, Colonel Sullenberger selected me to become the navigator on the Tactical Air Command Commander’s crew. On November 23, 1963, I flew in the control plane over Washington, DC with General Sweeney, as airborne command post–the only airplane in the air in the entire East–while President Kennedy’s funeral was being performed. In 1967, I went to Vietnam for one year of combat duty. In 1968, our plane picked up a satellite from outer space at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. In 1971, I was named Commandant of ROTC unit 845 at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. In 1975, I retired from the Air Force and became a business professor at East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma. In 1992, I became an advisor to the ECU Foundation manager. In 1994, I retired from East Central University.” He ended the message with the following advice: “To summarize, my career is simple: Get a job. Do good work. Get recognized for that work. You will be called upon for the best.” He closed his message with the advice he still gave in his later years, “GET A MENTOR.”
He is survived by three daughters, Rhonda (Abel) Noah of Wenatchee, WA; Rachel (Wink) Kopczynski of Tulsa, OK; and Rebecca (John) Barker of Norman, OK; Grandsir to five grandchildren, Wink (Hannah) Kopczynski, Kameron Kopczynski, Kassidy (Cole) Edwards, Reed (Lakshana) Barker, Riley Barker; and Great-Grandsir to Grace Kopczynski and Wink Kopczynski IV, Cason Edwards, Kharthikeyn Barker, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and caregiver for over 7 years, Lynette Boyles, who is a special member of the family. He was preceded in death by Darla on June 9, 2024, his parents, and his younger brothers, Ronnie and Bud. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the staff at Seasons Hospice who provided wonderful care for him.
The family will receive guests on Monday, June 23 from 4:00-6:00 pm at Smith Funeral Home – Sapulpa. Full military funeral honors will be rendered on Tuesday, June 24 at 10:00 am at the outdoor Veteran’s pavilion in Green Hill Cemetery, next to the cannon, (400 E. Teel Road) in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. A reception will immediately follow at the Oaks Country Club – East Lounge (6500 S. 49th W. Ave, Tulsa) from 11:00 am-1:00 pm.
Funeral Services are under the direction of Smith Funeral Home at 1208 S. Main Sapulpa, Oklahoma 74066.
