Lorne Herbert Reed Sept 8, 1923 - Sept 7, 2013

Lorne H. Reed at 60 years

Lorne, beloved husband of Vernetta Pilling, passed away unexpectedly at the Foothills Hospital, just one day shy of his 88th birthday. He touched countless lives with his generous spirit and unending faith in the potential of all he associated with. Lorne was born in Canora, Saskatchewan and grew up in the Depression. Although he had barriers to break, his determination and acute intellect opened up opportunities for success throughout his life. He earned his degree at the University of Saskatchewan in Engineering Physics and pioneered geophysical prospecting in the formative years of the Alberta oil industry. Earl in his career he found himself on a seismic crew with Canadian Gulf Oil in Cardston, Alberta. Here, he met the love of his lie and eternal companion. Vernetta, with whom he spent the next 64 years. In 1955 he created his own oil and gas company. Lorne H. Reed & Associates. His unquestioning faith in God carried them through the most difficult trial of their lives, a tragic car accident June 1958 which claimed the lives of their three young children, Loretta, Kathryn and Brian. Over the next seven years they were blessed with five more children. Lorne’s deep religious conviction guided him as he served tirelessly in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was also a keen and passionate political activist who cared deeply about leaving the world a better place. Lorne will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Vernetta: children David Reed of Jasper, Joanne (Fraser) Smith of Las Vegas, Darryl (Merrilee) Reed, Susan (Lance) Gallop, and Kenneth (Kara) Reed all of Calgary: 17 grandchildren; five great-grand-children; his sister Evelyn Hughes as well as many other relatives and friends. He will be deeply missed by so very many. Funeral Services will be held for Lorne at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Friday, September 13 at 11 am with Visitation from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Messages of condolence may be forwarded to the family at www.piersons.ca