Percy 'Bud' Ray Reed

Percy Ray (Bud) Reed passed away peacefully at home December 1, 2021.  Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Wed., December 8, 2021, at the Niobrara County Fairgrounds Auditorium in Lusk.

Bud was born to Ray and Bernice Reed on September 27, 1936 in Douglas, Wyoming.  He grew up in various locations on the family ranch, settling on the 77 Ranch north of Manville for the last 62 years.  He went to school 1st through 8th grades in Manville, Wyoming, completing school at Lusk High School.  He played football and basketball during his high school years.  While in high school, he held the record for single season points scored – 572 points (this was before 3 pointers were counted).  He held this record from 1954 to 2009.  He earned a full-ride scholarship to the University of Wyoming for football.  He played one season before enlisting in the US Army October 10, 1956.  During his time in the Army, he was stationed in San Antonio, TX, as a medic.  He remained in the Army Reserves until October of 1962.

During Bud’s high school years, he played sports against Wheatland.  Over the years Bud and Betty Jean Carmichael became acquainted.  On March 29, 1959 they were married in Wheatland, Wyoming.  Once they were married, they resided on the 77 Ranch together with Bud’s parents.  In 1985 Bud’s father passed.  He then took the reins and ran the ranch until present day.  During this time, he was a life-long member of the American Quarter Horse Association and Wyoming Hereford Association.  Through those years he was very proud of the horses he rode.  He was not just a cowboy, but a cattleman.  He was very respected by all his neighbors and a mentor to many of the younger generations.

Throughout his lifetime he had one sister, Donna Jean.  But he was raised along with his first cousins, Walter and Bebe Reed, who he always considered life-long brothers.

He was preceded in death by his Uncle Elvin Haworth; his parents, Ray and Bernice (Haworth) Reed; his siter, Donna Jean Watson; cousins Walter and Bebe Reed; and nephew, Donald Ray Watson.

His survivors include the love of his life, Betty Jean Reed, of 62 years; niece Judy Kay (Watson) Herz of Casper; nephew Robert Troy Watson of Laramie; great-niece Heidi (Herz) Cardwell of Lusk; and two great-great-nieces, Bristol and Reagan Cardwell, also of Lusk.  He is also survived by many other cousins, too numerous to list.

Pier Funeral Home would like to advise you that the memorial tree program does not plant a tree in this area, and does not notify the family of your memorial.