Reverend John A. Reed Jr., a well-known pastor and civil rights activist from Oklahoma City, has died. He was 86 years old.
Reed, who died Monday, served Fairview Baptist Church in northeast Oklahoma City for more than 60 years.
Several leading figures from politics and government paid tribute to Reed on Monday.
“Today our nation lost a statesman, Dr. John A. Reed Jr.,” said Democratic Rep. Jason Lowe of Oklahoma City in a statement. “If you look at the walls of history in Oklahoma, you will see that Dr. Reed played a critical role in leading the civil rights movement and other movements in our state. He pastored many of our nation’s leaders and I am grateful to have had him as my pastor for the past several years. My prayers are with his family, Fairview Missionary Baptist Church and our community.”
Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt also commented.
“Pastor Reed is one of the most influential citizens our city has ever had,” Holt said in a statement.
“Because of the way stories were told in this and many other communities, this was not always common knowledge. But it was certainly known to the leaders of this city.”
Reed’s church hosted a gala in 2023 to celebrate his 60th anniversary as pastor at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. The event was attended by local and state dignitaries as well as people from across Oklahoma City and the country.
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