Kermit Reel
Kermit Dean Reel (USA Retired), died Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at the Cedarfield retirement community, 11 days short of his 88th birthday.
A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy in 1947, he spent 27 years on active duty with the Army, retiring as a Colonel in 1974 after service in Germany, Korea and Vietnam, among other tours of duty as an artillery officer.
He was predeceased by his wife, Marie Foote Reel; and a son, Thomas Raymond Reel. He is survived by a daughter, Martha "Martie" Reel Leming of Raleigh, N.C.; two grandchildren; and two sisters, Lois Hammer of Santa Fe, N.M., and Margaret Goodman of Towson, Md. Col and Mrs. Reel lived in Charlottesville before moving to Cedarfield.
He served for many years on the Virginia Game and Inland Fisheries Commission. He was a master woodworker and shared a lifelong love of hunting, camping and fishing with his son, Tom. "He was a kind and gentle man," his daughter Martie said, "and I am proud to be his daughter."
Burial will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be determined. Memorial donations may be made to the West Point Fund (the Superintendent's Annual Fund), West Point Association of Graduates, 698 Mills Rd., West Point, N.Y. 10996.