Yucaipa's "Mayor Without a City" Passes Kenneth Charles Reed

- January 24, 2024

Kenneth Charles Reed of Yucaipa passed away in Yucaipa on January 24, 2024 at the age of 87. Kenneth was a 60-year resident of Yucaipa, arriving in early 1963 along with his wife Patricia and son Nathan. Born May 9, 1936 in Fullerton, California to John Harman Reed and Marjorie (nee Morgan) Reed, Kenneth grew up in Orange County and in 1954, he graduated from Garden Grove High School, where he was a strong student and played varsity tennis and football. He went on to Fullerton College before transferring to UCLA, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics in 1960. Kenneth was then hired on at Douglas Aircraft and lived in Santa Monica.

Ken met his first wife, Patricia, at a church function in early September 1961. After a whirlwind 5-week courtship, the couple got married in Las Vegas on October 7, 1961 and resided in Los Angeles; they welcomed their first son, Nathan, into the family in July 1962. The triad moved to Yucaipa in the Spring of 1963 to be closer to Patricia’s family as well as Kenneth’s new job as a computer programmer/mathematician at the Aerospace Corporation in San Bernardino. Ken and Pat welcomed their second son, Morgan, into the fold in April 1964. Kenneth later went to work for Dynaelectron and then the U.S. Navy as a civilian contractor at the Fleet Analysis Center in Norco, California. Kenneth was proud of his work with the U.S. Navy even if he couldn’t serve in the military because of a leg injury suffered while playing high school football.

Kenneth was involved in the Yucaipa community in many ways. He helped coach youth sports teams, served as an assistant scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 9, and was an active member in the Calimesa Church of Christ and the Sterling Avenue Church of Christ. He ran for school board and was dubbed “The Mayor Without a City” when he was the top vote getter for the Yucaipa City Council race in the failed special incorporation election held on January 24, 1967. Kenneth was not against incorporation but was ethically opposed to the exclusion of much of Dunlap Acres from the cityhood map and was logically opposed to the exclusion of many of the taxpaying businesses along the old Route 99 corridor.

Kenneth was a man of many talents. He played guitar and sang; in particular he loved to play and sing Irish folk and John Denver songs. Kenneth also gardened (his rose bushes being his pride and joy), was an amateur ornithologist, created many things out of wood, did lapidary work, learned to upholster furniture and create pottery by taking classes, won awards as a public speaker and storyteller through Toastmasters, and made a mean batch of chili. He was also a shutterbug, taking many pictures with his assortment of cameras over the years. Furthermore, he served as the director of the chorus for his barbershop group, the “Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America,” in San Bernardino as well as the church choir, perpetually wielding his famous pitch pipe. Of paramount importance in his life was his faith. A true student of the Bible, Kenneth was very knowledgeable about scripture and actively attended church most of his life. He was a true role model as a Christian man, living humbly and only giving his testimony when asked.

When Patricia passed away in November 2005, Kenneth still had a lot of love to give and yearned for companionship. In December 2006, he married Bonita (nee Huber) Betherum, a longtime friend from the Sterling Avenue Church of Christ. The two were a very compatible couple and enjoyed a happy, loving marriage until Bonnie’s passing from cancer in September 2023. After that, Kenneth faded quickly and went to his reward on January 24, 2024, ironically on the 57th anniversary of his mayoral victory.

Kenneth Reed is/was described by most as a kind, generous, loving man who put others first and had a dry, understated sense of humor. Simply put, he was a “good man,” a sentiment expressed by many people in the wake of his death. He showed his generosity by contributing to many charities and assisting people experiencing hardship. Whether anonymously providing a gift to someone in need or selling a car to a needy soul for $10, Kenneth was always looking out for others. He often said that he was put on this planet to serve others, and he did. He was also a loyal and loving husband to two wives. His sons described him as a role model and a moral compass; he was always there to instruct, direct, and even correct them with a firm yet gentle hand.

Kenneth Reed was preceded in death by his father (John Reed) and mother (Marjorie Morgan Reed Niblack), stepfather (Charles Niblack), brother (Douglas Reed), his two wives (Patricia and Bonita), and step-daughter Karen Ward. He is survived by his sons, Nathan (Roberta) of Scio, Oregon and Morgan of Piñon Hills, California, two step-daughters, Sherill Arroyo (Art) of Keiser, Oregon, and Tammy Kinslow (Mark) of Xenia, Ohio, step-son-in-law Michael Ward of San Bernardino, step-sisters Donna Williams (Richard) of Irvine, California and Barbara Dibbern of La Jolla, California, and step-brother Bill Niblack of Doniphan, Missouri. He is also survived by four step-nephews and nieces, four step-grandchildren, and three step-great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Kenneth Reed at Bobbitt Memorial Chapel on Highland Ave. in San Bernardino on Saturday, June 8, 2024 at 11am. A get-together will be hosted at the home of Keeli and John Mazich in Yucaipa following the service. In lieu of flowers, you can make donations in memory of Ken Reed to Yucaipa/calimesa Family Assistance at P.O. Box 130 Yucaipa, CA 92399.