Reed W. Rings

Reed Walden Rings drew his last breath on earth and his first breath of heaven on November 3rd, 2020. Reed, or as his children affectionately called him, RW, was big city boy born in Kansas City, MO, on August 29, 1932. Born to Paul and Frances Rings and brother to Kaye, he grew up learning to love music and follow sports. He loved barber shop quartets and the big bands of Count Basie, Bennie Goodman, and Glenn Miller. If you had the pleasure of driving up to his home, the first sound that guests were greeted by were those of the big bands playing through the garage stereo. He was a fan of the Kansas City Royals and Kansas City Chiefs. He spent many a weekend “pittling” in the yard or “tinkering” in his workshop listening to college and pro sports. In his later years, when the pittling and tinkering were left to others, he loved sitting in his recliner taking in all that sports had to offer on the weekends while sneaking in a nap on Sunday afternoons.
As a young boy growing up in Kansas City, Reed spent many summers in the country with family in Carrolton, MO. There he began finding out the things in life that made him happy such as driving cars and caring for animals. In his 88 years of life, he owned 61.5 cars (just ask his kids about that last PT Cruiser!). He loved convertibles, especially in the color of black or red. Once he realized the expense cars were, Reed knew he need needed a profession to pay for that new found passion. He chose veterinary medicine. So upon graduation from Center High School in Kansas City, MO in 1949, Reed attended and graduated from the University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Science and Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine along with a master’s degree in veterinary pathology.
While at the University of Missouri, Reed was set up on a blind date with a small town girl from Troy, MO, named Margaret Ann Cox or as he affectionately called her, Maggie. That blind date turned into a whirl-wind five month romance that culminated in their wedding on June 1, 1957, in Columbia, MO. They were married 62 glorious years that was full of richer and poorer and better and worse. Theirs wasn’t a perfect union, but it was beautifully woven together by a commitment to one another and a love of God. In those 62 years, God blessed them with 6 children: Bret, Blane, Matthew, Melissa, Marcie, and Seth. Reed’s career took his family to veterinary jobs in Missouri, Michigan, Louisiana, Nebraska, and finally Ohio where he retired.
Reed taught his children many valuable lessons which include, but are not limited to the value of drying out aluminum cans in a toaster oven, the need to understand the difference between trash and garbage and the subsequent $5 fine that comes with not knowing the difference, the vital importance of asking good open-ended questions like “WHO TURNED ON THE HOT WATER?!?!” when taking a shower, and the critical reason why every room in the house should have a minimum of three time pieces. Along with those important life lessons, Reed also taught the world why the hook shot was the greatest basketball move ever, why the half-swath was the ultimate yard maintenance method, and why one could never ask too soon after the main course of a meal, “What are we having for dessert?”
Reed was full of insight, but none more important than what he lived out via his faith in Jesus. Reed didn’t talk a ton about that faith, but what he lived, if you really knew his story, was that it is never too late soften your heart to Jesus. Reed was stern and tough. Not a lot of room for mercy and compassion in the early years of life and family. But as time went on and the more Reed grew in the understanding of God’s love for him, his spiritual transformation made manifest in the softening of his heart and exterior which was evident to all who really knew him. His wife and children were in awe of God’s work in his life: the tough and gruff turned to tender and thoughtful. At the end of his life, he taught us all what real life change was about: not being stuck in your emotional and relational ways, but allowing God to work on your heart in order to live and love more like Jesus with those around you.
Reed is survived by his loving children: Bret and Leigh Ann Rings, Blane and Crystal Rings, Marcie and Don Solin, Seth and Kelly Rings, along with his daughter-in-law Toni Rings and his favorite sister, Kaye Albright of Dallas, TX. Reed also has ten amazing grandchildren: Ana Kay (Pedro), Scout (Brian), Alex, Jetson (Karla), Skylar, Cooper, Evan Margaret (Josh), Mesa, Sarah, and Parker. Along with those grandchildren, he has two incredible great-grandchildren, Riley and Walker. He loves them and is so very proud of each of them
Reed was proceeded in death by his parents, Paul and Frances Rings, his wife, Margaret Ann, and his twin children, Matthew Conner and Melissa Margaret.
CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICE & INTERMENT
There will be no viewing due to Reed’s wishes to be cremated. There will be a celebration and sharing time on Saturday, January 2, at 11 a.m. at Old Alexandria Cemetery Church, 87 Old Alexandria Rd., Troy, MO. Interment will be held immediately following the service.
MEMORIALS
“Dr. Reed and Margaret Ann Rings Scholarship Fund” A scholarship in Reed and Margaret’s honor will be at College of the Ozarks, P.O. Box 17, Point Lookout, MO 65726.
Checks need to be made out to: College of the Ozarks. On the memo line of the check or on a separate note enclosed with the check, please state “Dr. Reed and Margaret Ann Rings Scholarship Fund.”
To donate securely online:
Go to: https://www.cofo.edu/Page/Giving/Give-Online.2388.html
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