Kenneth Reed

Kenneth (Ken) R. Reed, 70, of Greenville, South Carolina, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 12, 2024 at Rolling Green Village.

Born January 26, 1954, in Peoria, Illinois, he was a son of the late William and Alma June Reed. During his youth he enjoyed tap dancing, swim team, attending United Methodist Youth Fellowship and playing the drums.

Ken graduated from Peoria High School in 1972 and went on to attend Illinois State University where he received both a bachelor's degree (1975) and masters degree (1981) in Speech Communication. He completed a certificate in educational administration at Governors State University. Later he furthered his education at Eastern Illinois University earning an Educational Specialist Degree in Administration (1997).

Ken began his career in education teaching secondary level Speech and English at Alan B.Shepard High School in Worth, IL and Radio and Television at Thornwood High School in South Holland, IL. He also served as the speech team coach. Ken later moved into administrative roles at Saybrook-Arrowsmith High School in Saybrook, IL and later Blue Ridge High School in Farmer City, Illinois. He spent the majority of his career as principal of Marshall High School in Marshall, IL (1989 to 2001) where he played an integral role to bring technology to the school district. In 2001, Ken transitioned to Director of Technology for the Champaign, IL school district. He moved back into administration in 2003 as Assistant Principal at Centennial High School in Champaign, IL. He finished out his career as principal at Mattoon High School in Mattoon, IL, retiring in 2009. 

Ken was an active member of the Illinois Principals Association serving as secretary (1994-1995), president (1996-1997) and NASSP Coordinator (2005-2009). He received the Herman Graves Award in 1997 from the Illinois Principals Association in recognition of the highest level of continued service to the Illinois Principals Association and the Principalship in keeping with the ideals and high standards established by the professional life of Herman Graves. He was awarded Illinois Secondary Principal of the Year in 2000 by the National Association of Secondary Schools. 

In addition to his career, Ken enjoyed attending his daughters extracurricular events, golfing, grilling, drumming, playing cards, traveling, and cheering on the Chicago Cubs and Bears. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Marshall, Illinois and later attended University Methodist Church in Peoria, Illinois. In 2019, Ken moved to Greenville, SC to be close to his daughters and their families.

He is survived by his two daughters, Heather (Stephen) Turner of Easley, SC, and Rachael (Josh) Fowler of Campobello, SC; a brother, Randy (Jodie) Reed; a sister, Jan Reed; a nephew, David Reed; and three grandchildren, Sarah Grace Turner, Luke Turner, and Adiline Fowler. 

A private family service will be held at a later date.

The family requests that memorials be made to The Alzheimer’s Association at 

https://www.alz.org/

or

Alzheimer’s Association

P.O. Box 96011

Washington, DC 20090-6011

Visit RobinsonFuneralHomes.com or Robinson Funeral Home & Crematory-Powdersville Road, Easley.