John Ramon Reed was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on April 29,

1936, to Elizabeth Rice Reed and Julius Reed. He was the 11th of 14

children and grew up with his family in Pittsburgh’s Hill District.

A bright and curious child, John attended an Episcopal elementary

school before matriculating to Fifth Avenue High School, where he

completed the 11th grade.

John met the love of his life, Sarah, when they were both employed at

Federal Enamel in McKees Rocks. John and Sarah married on May 12,

1956, and remained married for the next 70 years. They settled in

Beltzhoover, where they raised their three daughters.

John was employed with Matthews International for more than 30

years before his retirement in 1998.

John, an avid follower of politics, held elected office as the 18th

Ward’s committeeman for nearly a decade and served as a delegate

for Jesse Jackson during Jackson’s 1984 campaign for president. He

was also deeply committed to community empowerment, serving as

national vice president for ACORN, the Association of Community

Organizations for Reform Now, where he traveled the country

working for improvements in schooling and housing for low-

income families. He was also an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan and a

season ticket holder for many years.

John was an active member of St. Paul A.M.E. Church, where he served

as a Trustee and a member of the Usher Board. Although busy with his

civic and church activities, John was always an attentive husband

and father, never missing an event or activity.

John R. Reed will be viewed at St. Paul AME, 400 Orchard Pl Pittsburgh, Pa. 15210 on Saturday July 18, 2026 from 8:00 am -11:am, Funeral Service 11:00 am.  Interment Allegheny Cemetery Pittsburgh, Pa.