Donn E. Reid, 88, of Greeley, passed from this life on September 4, 2026, with his wife of 67 years, daughter, and son at his side.

Born February 19, 1938, to John and Emelia Reid, Donn was a lifelong resident of northern Colorado. He grew up in the Prospect Valley area before graduating from Evans High School, all the while helping to tend the family farm.

Donn married Beverly Adams on August 2, 1959. Together they welcomed a daughter, Carolyn, and a son, Donn.

In 1960, Donn graduated from Colorado State College (now UNC) with an education degree and went on to complete two master’s degrees. He was in R.O.T.C. and active in Epsilon Pi Tau and Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity. A lifelong educator, Mr. Reid taught industrial arts and business at Evans High School, Meeker Jr High and Heath Junior High.

With a variety of power tools in his shops, the safety of students was of utmost importance. His record for leading accident-free classes was exemplary. Many students followed his mentorship into careers working in construction and teaching. Donn and his family were often told of how instrumental he had been in the lives of former pupils.

In summer months, he ran a concrete contracting business, also doing remodeling, and building custom furniture. Upon retirement from District 6, Donn took on projects building custom homes. For many years, he crafted plaques for Greeley Stampede Gold Spur sponsors. He designed and built fixtures and solutions for an array of companies in the area. His wide array of skills made him best known as a “Jack of all trades, and a master of most.”

Donn lived a life of service to others. He was active in the Colorado Industrial Arts Teacher’s Association for many years. He enjoyed bowling and served as secretary/treasurer of the bowling leagues he participated in. An avid sports fan, Donn also spent several years coaching and officiating youth sports events. He followed the Broncos, Nuggets, and the Colorado Rockies with great interest.

The Evans Area Chamber of Commerce was very important to Donn, as a member and leader for many years. He greatly enjoyed being part of the Our Gang business networking group. Donn’s connections to Evans continued as a part-time staff member of the City of Evans, and volunteering for the senior lunch program.

Donn will be remembered as a prolific woodworker. His patience, mastery, and meticulous nature brought about masterpieces in disciplines such as intarsia and woodturning. He always created beautiful Christmas gifts for family members to forever treasure and give to the generations to follow. He was lovingly referred to as Geppetto, a reference to the creator of Pinocchio.

A highlight of Donn’s life was the dedication of the Donn Reid Industrial Arts Center at Heath Middle School on July 24, 2025. The new shop stands as a living legacy of Mr. Reid’s teaching career and has many of his creations and tools on display. The family is forever grateful for the advocacy and work of Heath Principal, Dr. Dawn Krueger and school board member Doran Azari in the naming approval process, bringing a vision to reality. Special thanks also to current shop teacher Jack Loos for his help and continuing the instruction of young people in a field Donn so passionately served and believed in.

Donn is survived by his wife Beverly, daughter Carolyn (Scott) Gattis of Greeley, son Donn (Sean) Reid of Cos Cob, Connecticut, grandchildren Melissa Gattis of Greeley, and Grant (Kate) Gattis of Bozeman, Montana and two great-grandchildren, Reid and Emery Gattis.

He is also survived by a brother, Gerald (Lucille) Reid, and Eilleen Lindblad, numerous brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

He also greatly loved his extended family: daughters-in-love Linda (John) Spreitzer, Amy Gattis, and grandchildren-in-love John Spreitzer, Joel Spreitzer, Holly Spreitzer, and Lindsey (James) Isborn.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Richard; his sisters-in-law: Bess Enlund and Nancy Kellogg; his brothers-in-law: Ray Enlund, Kenneth Lindblad, and James Eatmon; his niece, Sherri Mullen; and his nephews: Jeff Enlund, Kenneth Cook, and Rodney Adams, the nephew he helped raise.

A gathering to celebrate Donn’s life will be held at the Evans Community Complex, 1100 37th Street, Evans, CO on September 19, 2026, at 2:00.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Success Foundation Serving Greeley-Evans Schools (1025 9th Ave, Greeley, CO 80631) to help support the Donn Reid Industrial Arts Center. Donations can also be made online at bit.ly/DonnReid  https://www.coloradogives.org/story/uw2edf