Jerry Reed's funeral

[Dr. Ron]

By now you may all know that Jerry Reed (reknowned guitar player) has passed.

He died at 3 am Monday morning and was buried just a few hours ago in a semi-private ceremony.

Interestly, I was Chaplain on duty during an youth boot camp this week end called B.L.iT.S. Basic Leadership Training School .....which my son Leny designed and is the commander of.

Monday morning I was awakened to the fact that one of our "cadet's" family members had passed......

I gathered with the young man and his parents and gently broke the news to him....Leny was there with me and we huddled and prayed together in our BDUs in the hot sun......

Since Leny is the commander of the Base Honor Guard for Tennessee, he was called on to provide the honor guard for the funeral today. He presented the flag to the wife , the young man, and another family memeber who is an Air Force LTC>

I did not find out who the deceased was until I came into the funeral home......the place filled with country music legends. But, no press, no fans.....ect.

When I found out who it was, I remembered it was he who convinced me I wasn't much of a guitar player.....The day Regie was born I was playing a recording session with Jerry, Ray Stevens, and the Imperials. Ray and I talked about those days today....

Funny,....one son born , another presents his flag to the widow.....I break the news to the nephew in a manner totally unrelated to music.....

Life is funny...........

[Blended]

Sorry Dr Ron missed this before I posted

I really liked Jerry though I never had the privilege of meeting him

[SBW]

Reed was one of the guitar greats...one of the finest that has ever lived. He will be greatly missed.

Not many people know that when Chet Atkins (Mr. Guitar) couldn't figure out a guitar lick.....he would get Jerry to find it for him and show him how to do it. That should tell you what a great player Jerry Reed was.

All the legendary musicians are leaving us.....this is the third in as many weeks.

Thanks for sharing your story here Dr Ron.

[SBW]

Excellent article in the Tennesseean.

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080902/TUNEIN/80902039/1005/ENTERTAINMENT