Gary J. Reeder, age 78, of Joplin, passed away on Thursday, January 10, 2019 at Freeman Hospital in Joplin. Gary, son of the late Charles and Lorene (Berry) Reeder, was born on December 21, 1940 in Lamar, Mo. He was raised and attended school with his older brother Larry, in Pittsburg, Kansas. He went to work at Cessna Aircraft in 1959 and stayed in the aircraft industry as a manufacturing engineer in tooling until 1992, working on projects such as the B2 Stealth Bomber, F-16 Fighter, C-17 Cargo jet and Air Force One. In 1979 he was united in marriage to Robin Meister in Wichita, Kansas. They moved to Joplin in 1992 where he worked and retired from Able Manufacturing. He was a perfectionist and master craftsman at everything he did. He was a Freemason, Knights Templar, and an active member of Christ’s Community United Methodist Church. He loved God, his family, and all who knew him loved him.

Survivors include his wife, Robin Reeder, of Joplin; two sons, Mark Reeder, of Joplin, and Craig Reeder, of Canton, Tx; two grandsons, Marcus Reeder and Dale Reeder; two granddaughters, Tori Longan, and her husband, Drew, and Rachel Reeder; great-grandson, Ingram Longan; one brother, Larry Reeder; nephews, Kent Meister, John Moore, and Josh Moore; nieces, Michelle Reeder, Kendra Martine, Kelsey Jones, Andrea Meister, Molly Case, Robin Gold, and Christina Berry. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Michael Reeder.

Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at 2:00pm at the Christ’s Community United Methodist Church in Joplin. The family will receive friends following the memorial service at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Cancer Society or the Joplin Humane Society and may be entrusted to the mortuary.

Arrangements are under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary and Crematory, Joplin.