Larry Reida

1935-2018

Waynesville, Larry Truman Reida, 82, passed away on Friday, August 10, 2018 at Mission Hospital two weeks after quadruple bypass surgery.

Larry's life was active and vibrant right to the end, having just completed a trip to Iowa for his 65th high school reunion. He was born in Brooklyn, Iowa, the only son of Truman and Bernice Reida. Larry graduated from high school in Lake View, IA, and attended Iowa State and Iowa Law School.

A lawyer by trade, a storyteller by habit, his thought processes and ideas were often handed to friends and family for agreement or debate. His years on Capitol Hill in the ‘60s and ‘70s working for Congressional Committees saw Larry climbing the ladder of ambition a bit too strenuously. Then, the love of his life, Mary Reida, pushed him in directions no one thought possible.

The couple left Maryland and re-situated in western North Carolina drawn by the mountains and a slower pace of life. Larry did return to practicing law in Waynesville, perhaps a bit more than he envisioned, due to an inability to say "no" to prospective clients. Mary and Larry settled in their dream home on a hill above Bethel with a living room view of Cold Mountain.

Not one to readily accept new technology, Larry travelled with a novel, a flip phone, and an appointment book full of phone numbers. Larry and Mary lived through unexpected extra years while she fought terminal cancer. They showed exceptional courage while continuing to smell the roses and explore new places. Acquiring greater peace and spirituality was their common goal and Larry never ceased those efforts after Mary's passing 4 years ago.

Going to the office, debating politics, attending poetry, book or investment club meetings, Larry's Midwestern up early in the morning approach never waned. Still, those who knew him well also recognized his later years were more compassion filled and contemplative.

Larry is survived by his sister, Linda; his son, Steve and wife, Jodi; business partner Jeff; right hand office partners Staci and Claudia; dear friends Linda and Pat and far too many other cherished friends to mention; all hold hands and look upwards as a beloved man moves to his next journey.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 17, 2018 in the Waynesville chapel of Wells Funeral Home.

The care of Larry has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Homes and an online memorial register is available at "Obituaries" at www.wellsfuneralhome.com

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