California farrier and supply shop owner Patrick Reed passed away Saturday, May 3, 2020. He was 75.

After high school, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and served in the Vietnam War from 1964-70. Once honorably discharged, he attended college briefly and became a farrier. In 1972, Reed opened Blacksmith’s Corner Feed & Pet Store in Bellflower, Calif. He worked very hard to build his business and 48 years later, it’s still a well-known and loved establishment in Bellflower.

Throughout the years, he had always studied martial arts. At age 70, he received his first black belt in Aikido and then received his second black belt at 72. 

Reed was a generous, giving man. He cared about his employees and his community. He was passionate about politics. He did what he could to make this world a better place and did so by quietly helping the homeless and would often help the kids in the neighborhood by putting them to work to avoid being on the streets. On Fridays, you would always find him and his buddies from Aikido at the Village Cafe having breakfast. He was a loving husband, father and grandpa. He will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved him.

A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.