James "Rusty" Reed, age 83, of Exeter, Missouri, passed away at his home surrounded by his family on Thursday, November 22, 2018. Mr. Reed, son of Arley and Cora (Hilburn) Reed, was born on October 17, 1935, in Cassville. On February 16, 1956, he was united in marriage to Susie Ellen Wills; she preceded him in death on July 24, 2015. Rusty was a lifelong resident of Barry County where he was very active in many roles. He served as Exeter's Mayor for seven terms and served as president for the Exeter Lions Club. Rusty was an avid fisherman and he never missed a chance to attended the opening day for trout season at Roaring River. He enjoyed baseball, softball, football, and tractor pulls. Rusty loved attending the local dirt tracks during the summer months, and spending time with family and friends.

Survivors include two sons, Thomas Reed and his wife Donna, of Cassville, and Jay Reed and his partner Steve Burcham, of Benton, Arkansas; two daughters, Debbie Reed, and Donita Vaught and her husband Clay, all of Cassville; nine grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; one brother, Jack Reed and his wife Emily, of Lawrence, Kansas; his sister in-law, Ann Reed, of Roland Park, Kansas, and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Arley Floyd Reed, on March 17, 2016; one brother, Orville Reed; and one sister, Barbara Reed.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on December 1, 2018, at the White Funeral Home and Crematory, with words of comfort spoken by Irene Day.

A private family burial will be held at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Cassville at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society and entrusted to the White Funeral Home and Crematory, P.O. Box 890, Cassville, MO 65625.

Service arrangements and cremation are under the direction of the White Funeral Home and Crematory, Cassville, Missouri.