PJ Reid, born on November 2, 1922 in Manchester, Kentucky, peacefully departed this life on April 30, 2026 at the Greg and Noreen Wells Bluegrass Hospice Care Center in Hazard, KY. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather and will be missed by all that knew him.
Those who knew PJ will remember him for his smile, generosity, and his commitment to spreading love and kindness to everyone he encountered. As a young man, he joined the United States Army where he served in the Pacific Theatre of World War II as a member of the 198th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion. During his tour overseas, he served in the Philippine Islands, Luzon, New Guinea, and various other locations. After the war, PJ returned home where he began working for the U.S. Postal Service in Manchester, where he eventually retired. He met and married Irene Sparks, to whom he was faithfully married for over 76 years. PJ was an avid gardener, enjoyed following UK basketball and football games, and loved cheering for the Cincinnati Reds. According to the records at the Clay County Historical Society, PJ was the last surviving WWII Veteran residing in Clay County, KY. He was blessed to have lived 103 years.
PJ is preceded in death by his wife Irene Reid, his father and mother Frank and Rosa Reid, his twin brother Frank Reid Jr. and wife Nancy, his brother Vernon Reid and wife Edith, his sister Hazel Dearner and husband William, and his sister Mary Roberts and husband Frank.
He leaves to mourn his passing his son Ronnie Reid and wife Diana, his granddaughter Holly Bailey and husband Sam, his grandson Matthew Reid and wife Lora, and his great grandchildren: Samuel, Ana Grace, Benjamin, Lyla, and Parker, as well as a host of other family and friends.
Funeral Services for PJ were conducted at 12:00 PM Monday, May 4, 2026 with Hon. Allen Roberts and Hon. Henria Bailey-Lewis officiating. Burial followed at Memorial Gardens.
Serving as pallbearers will be Matthew Reid, Sam Bailey, Samuel Bailey, Benjamin Bailey, Brian Lewis, and Corbin Lewis.
