J. Kenneth Reed

James Kenneth Reed, age 84, was born on August 27, 1941, in Sullivan, Illinois, to Claude and Milon (Bushong) Reed. He passed away on Friday, August 21, 2026, at Wyoming Medical Center in Casper, Wyoming.

Kenneth graduated from Sullivan High School in 1959 and attended Apostolic Bible Institute, where he met Shelba Jean Pardue. He graduated from Apostolic Bible Institute in 1962.

Kenneth married his sweetheart, Shelba August 8, 1964, in Pritchard, Alabama by her father, Reverend Wilburn Pardue.
Kenneth faithfully served the Lord throughout his life. He pastored United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI) churches in Sullivan and Champaign, Illinois, and Sheridan, Wyoming. In 1989, he and Shelba were appointed missionaries with the UPCI. Together, they served as missionaries for 20 years in the Philippines, Indonesia, Fiji, and New Zealand before retiring.

In retirement, Kenneth continued his ministry by serving as a chaplain at Wyoming Medical Center and as pastor of the United Pentecostal Church in Douglas, Wyoming. His life was marked by a deep love for God, a commitment to ministry, and a genuine love for people.

Kenneth also enjoyed gardening and was particularly proud of his bananas he grew in Fiji and loved to share with his Bible school students in Suva.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Milon Reed; sister, Sharon White; sister-in-law, Linda Reed; grandson, Steven Reed; and niece, Cyndy White.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Shelba Jean (Pardue) Reed of Casper, Wyoming; son, James (Sarah) Reed of Casper, Wyoming; daughter, Kenetha Duncan of Casper, Wyoming; son, Thaddeus (Ageane) Reed of Oakdale, Minnesota; sister, Yvonne (Gawain) Bevis of Arthur, Illinois; brother, Gary Reed of Columbia, Missouri; sister-in-law, Sibil (Gerald) Hassebrock of Sarasota, Florida; grandchildren, Benjamin Duncan of Shelbyville, Texas, James Duncan of Denver, Colorado, Maddison Reed of Milton, Florida, and Pedro Reed of Hortonville, Wisconsin; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 26, from 12:00–1:00 p.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home in Casper, Wyoming.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. at Casper Pentecostal Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to UPCI Global Mission projects in Fiji.

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