Frank Lynn Reed

Frank Lynn Reed, age 72, passed away December 30th, 2024, at his home in Gibbon, Oregon. Frank was born in Pendleton, Oregon on February 15, 1952, to Walter “Sonny” and Patricia “Patsy” Reed.  He grew up on Pendleton’s South Hill and attended Hawthorne Elementary School, Pendleton Junior High School and graduated from Pendleton High School in 1970. Frank was known as “Lynn” to family and friends growing up and enjoyed playing sports in school with his friends. He had family in North Carolina, and he frequently visited there in his childhood. He spent much of his youth with beloved family members on the Umatilla Indian Reservation riding horses and hunting. 

Frank loved history and was especially interested in flight. This led him to attend Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton, Oregon where he obtained his associate’s degree in 1972 in Air Transportation Technology, specifically Air Traffic Controller. However, life led him in another direction.  In 1975, he started working at Fleetwood Travel Trailers in Pendleton. He worked there from 1975 until 1994. Frank was well liked by his coworkers and known for his strong work ethic. Rarely missing a workday, he quickly became a Lead team member at Fleetwood. Frank decided to make a career change, and when Wildhorse Casino was developed, he was hired. He began his career in Surveillance at the temporary facility, opening in November 1994. The Resort and Casino went through many changes over the years, and Frank was there through all of it. He worked at the Casino until he retired in 2018 as the Surveillance Director. 

Frank married Paula Robinson in 1975 and together they had two daughters, Brilynn Reed of Pendleton, Oregon and Nicole Reed of La Grande, Oregon. They were later divorced and Frank married Lois Holloway on April 8th, 2002. Frank and Lois spent the last 22 years together at their home in Gibbon. They had a shared love of gardening, going to the mountains and taking vacations to the Oregon Coast. They spent many hours maintaining their yard and watching the hummingbirds. 

Frank loved all animals, but horses and dogs were very special to him. He was never without one or the other. He loved spending time in the mountains looking for wildlife to hunt and wood to cut. He was a social man who enjoyed spending time with people. Many of Frank’s best times were spent in the mountains with family and friends. Wood heat was a staple in his home, and collecting firewood was often a family event. His best friend, his older brother, Walter “Worth” Reed was often by his side. Worth and Lynn were always close and had many adventures in their youth traveling the United States by car, carousing and causing headaches for their parents, hunting in the mountains, and hanging out at elk camp. 

Frank was especially proud of his daughters Brilynn and Nicole Reed. He taught them to love animals, work hard, go to school, and keep the radio always playing. He was known to laugh and joke with his girls and was always up for a good trick, singing along with the radio or watching a comedy on television.

Frank will be missed by all his past coworkers and friends from Fleetwood and Wildhorse Resort and Casino. He is survived by his wife, Lois Holloway, his daughter, Brilynn Reed (Victor Alvarado), daughter, Nicole Reed, his brother, Walter Worth Reed (La Belva Reed) and granddaughter, Lucy Montoya. He is predeceased by his parents Sonny and Patsy Reed. 

A celebration of life will be held Friday, March 21, 2025 at 1:00 - 4:00 pm in the Cayuse Hall at Wildhorse Resort and Casino.