Long-Time Firm Consultant John J. Reed, Jr. Dies After Contracting COVID-19

John J. Reed, Jr. died March 29, 2020 after testing positive for the novel coronavirus less than two weeks earlier. John joined Oles Morrison Rinker & Baker LLP in 1989 as an in-house construction and financial consultant where he assisted attorneys and their clients in both Washington and Alaska with a wide variety of financial issues. Before joining the firm, John was the Chief Financial Officer of a large sheet metal contracting firm in Seattle where he helped the company successfully pursue a large government contract claim on the VA`s Beacon Hill Hospital.  

Before his retirement in 2014, John spent 30 years displaying an exceptional ability to work with the firm`s client financial management in compiling and analyzing claim damages documentation and preparing clients to testify. In some cases where it became necessary to engage outside damages experts, John was of immense value in assisting them to understand how to utilize the client documents and knowledge to compile well substantiated claims.  

Sam Baker, Jr. remembers, “Over the years it was not uncommon for even the opposition—and even the tribunal—to express their appreciation for the quality of John`s work. John`s expertise and work ethic were an inspiration to everyone who had the experience to work with him.”  

John spent ten years as an auditor in public accounting prior to joining the construction industry. He received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with an accounting major from the University of Houston in 1971 and was licensed to practice public accounting in 1972.  He was an active member of the American Institute of CPAs, the Washington Society of CPAs, and the Construction Financial Management Association, Puget Sound Chapter.   

John was a long-time resident of Edmonds, WA where he was passionate about community affairs. He served as a member of the Edmonds Citizens Housing Commission and is a former member of the Edmonds Planning Board. John served as a longtime president of the Alliance of Citizens for Edmonds (ACE) and was passionate about the mission of ACE and its advocacy efforts to retain Edmonds’ small-town atmosphere and preserve its livability. With John at the helm, ACE was active in local politics, sponsoring candidate forums for Edmonds City Council, mayor and port commission elections.  

John Reed, Jr. will be remembered for his contributions to the firm, to the construction industry, and to his community that he loved so dearly.  

You can read more about John’s legacy on My Edmonds News. Per the website: 

Funeral arrangements will be made once restrictions are lifted for gatherings and family and friends can safely assemble. 

Should you wish to make a donation in John’s honor, please consider donating to support the current efforts to treat COVID-19 patients, the medical professionals helping them, or other charity supporting coronavirus relief efforts. 

Please share memories at www.beckstributecenter.com.