Shon Roark Reed, 63, of Oklahoma City, was a beloved son, brother, relative and friend. He passed away on September 12, 2026. Shon was born February 20, 1963 in Seminole, OK, to Cassie Taylor Reed and Troy Dean Reed.

Shon had a successful career in several areas including Hotel Management in Ruidoso, NM and Ada, OK. He enjoyed meeting people from various places. However, later he found the type of work he truly loved when he made the decision to attend a Truck Driving Academy in Salt Lake City to become a professional driver and this proved to be a life-changing event for him. Shon was so excited about his new career that he even left his dog, Vagos, in the care of his mom. After three months of intense training and acquiring his CDL license, he was driving long hauls delivering oil in tanker trucks which required hazardous materials endorsement on his commercial driver's license. He soon bought his first home in OKC, of which he was very proud. He began to make improvements immediately to both the inside and the yard. He wanted it to look nice.

This all lead to his next creative plan and good financial decision which was to operate an Air B&B in his home. He offered two bedrooms for rent and very soon he was always booked. He entertained visitors from Africa, France and many other foreign countries and found great pleasure in getting to know each guest. He chose a home location in a choice area close to Tinker Air Force Base, OKC airport, the Hospitals and Bricktown. Many engineers stayed with him to be close to Tinker and nurses booked him solid during the Covid Pandemic. Since he missed his dog and the Air B&B had proven so popular he discontinued driving long distance and instead concentrated on the OKC area. Shon was the Lead Trainer for new drivers learning the specifics of each truck and to acquire all the necessary knowledge to be a safe truck driver. Shon also worked for Fresenius Medical and ProDriver.

Shon enjoyed sports especially snow-skiing which he excelled in from a young age. He loved all the ski trips with his parents and friends to Colorado and Tahoe. He also liked fishing which brought him immense pleasure. He tried many extracurricular activities including baseball, karate and guitar. He moved with his family to Stillwater in 10th grade which was a difficult transition for him leaving his friends behind.

He maintained long-lasting relationships with Ken Kirkpatrick and Steve Madden for over 40 years. Shon even lived for a short time at Lake Eufaula in a cabin owned by his friend Ken. He met Steve Madden, a policeman in Stillwater not long after high school. Steve visited Shon throughout the years and came to see him recently in the hospital. Shon was always a giver and honorably chose to be an organ donor. Steve was present for the “Honor Walk” which the Stillwater hospital conducts when someone chooses to donate organs which is a solemn procession at SMC.

Shon was a happy child living in Duncanville, a suburb of Dallas and had lots of friends. He participated in Boy Scouts, and even built a tree house in the backyard with his friends. He was six years old when his twin brothers, Derek and Craig were born. He was not so happy at first but he soon became a wonderful and supportive big brother.

His Aunt Ginger and Uncle Howard lived in the Dallas area and Shon enjoyed being the big boy cousin to his three girl cousins! He loved visiting his paternal grandparents at Lake Texoma, swimming in the lake and fishing; and the Taylor Farm in Wilson Community where his maternal grandparents lived. He especially loved the fresh cooked farm raised foods prepared by Grandma Taylor and began calling them ‘feasts’ with the entire family using the word after that. He loved riding around with Grandpa Taylor in the pickup, on a tractor, or riding the pony that was bought for their first grandson, Shon.

He also visited his Aunt Donna Sue and Uncle Ellis in New Jersey in 1976. He went to Philadelphia for the Bicentennial Celebration commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. This was big deal to him. Shon took many trips later on with his parents to Washington DC and NYC, to Boulder, CO to visit his twin brothers, plus ski trips to every CO ski location except Aspen.

He graduated from Stillwater High School in 1981 and attended OSU, Tonkawa College and UCO in Edmond, OK studying business management. As a young man, Shon always had a job, working at a restaurant, a grocery store or doing maintenance work. Shon at one point was in a long term relationship with a young woman but sadly it ended and left him devastated. He decided to move to Ruidoso NM. In addition to managing a hotel he lived in a rental cabin at a horse ranch and helped the owner with the horses.

Shon will be remembered for being a loving son, older brother, cousin and friend. Shon and his mom, Cassie spent much time discussing current events, gardening, and projects he was working on in his home. He loved humor and making others laugh, especially his mom and dad. He developed his sense of humor at an early age and used it during difficult times. Once when his mom served a “Whole Fish” for dinner he quipped “I’m Allergic to Eyes!”. He will be remembered by family and friends for his warm and generous spirit, loving smile, and his gentle mannerisms. He will be missed.

Shon was preceded in death by his brother Derek Taylor Reed, brother Craig Forrest Reed, his dad Dr. Troy Reed, his grandparents, and other family members. He is survived by his caring and devoted mom, Cassie Taylor Reed of Stillwater and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Shon’s memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved him.

The Westhaven Nursing Facility and Luminos Hospice along with all the caregivers are to be commended for taking excellent care of Shon. The Stillwater Medical Center Hospice and its caregivers also provided great care for Shon in the hospital.

The Strode Funeral Home and Cremation is in charge of burial at Fairlawn Cemetery in Stillwater, OK.