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LEAGUE CITY — A giant American flag dangled from the ladders of two firetrucks outside Clear Creek Community Church Friday to honor a widely admired public servant.
Kemah Police Chief Chris Reed, 50, died June 7 when he fell overboard while boating with his wife, Jana, in Texas City. A wake from a large vessel hit his pleasure craft and knocked him overboard without a life jacket, officials reported.
A week later, hundreds of family members, friends, colleagues and Bay Area residents gathered to remember an influential person in their community.
“Chris’ life was dedicated to service – service for his country and service for his community,” said Bruce Wesley, senior pastor of Clear Creek Community Church.
“We will look to God for our strength in comfort. This is a life well-lived in serving others and that’s why we gather here today, to remember him.”
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Reed served in the U.S. Army as a military policeman, sergeant and paratrooper before his honorable discharge in 1990. He later joined the League City Police Department, where he served as assistant chief and, later, city administrator.
Most recently, Reed served as Kemah police chief and was a member of the Clear Creek ISD Board of Trustees from 2016-2019.
Reed’s sister-in-law, Carol Riffert, read a passage from the Book of Revelation describing “the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.”
Clear Creek ISD Superintendent Greg Smith said Reed was a disciple God sent to shed light on League City, Kemah, Nassau Bay and Clear Creek ISD.
“He was a man of service – service to his country, his community and the 42,000 children and 5,000 employees that comes with being a board trustee,” Smith said.
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Richard Rennison, a close friend, spoke on behalf of several others who knew Reed.
“Chris didn’t know the meaning of the word ‘quit,’ which is funny because he didn’t know the meaning of a lot of the words he used,” he jokingly said, remembering his friend.
Reed’s daughter Logan said she will remember the father’s love that he gave abundantly time and time again.
“I know who my father really was,” she said. “I got to experience and cherish that every single day. Rest easy, Daddy.”
Reed is survived by his wife and three children: Logan, son Chase and daughter Alexis.