Farm Progress

Stanley Reed, former Arkansas Farm Bureau president, dies in one-car accident. 

July 15, 2011

3 Min Read

Stanley Reed, a well-known east Arkansas farmer and former president of the Arkansas Farm Bureau, was killed Friday morning in a one-vehicle accident in Arkansas’ Woodruff County. Reed, 59, was reportedly running farm errands mid-morning when his vehicle hit a tree east of Augusta on Highway 64. 

Reed, a University of Arkansas law school graduate, was from Marianna, Ark. He had been interviewed on Thursday as a candidate for president of the University of Arkansas. He was one of two finalists for the job.  

In 2010, Reed ran as a Republican to unseat Arkansas Sen. Blanche Lincoln. Citing health issues, his bid was short-lived.

A Friday afternoon Arkansas Farm Bureau press release on Reed's death reads:

"Stanley E. Reed, the ninth president of the Arkansas Farm Bureau, died in a single-car accident Friday morning. A cotton farmer from Marianna (Lee County), Reed served as president of the organization from 2003 through 2008. He was 59.

"He is survived by his wife Charlene and three children and three grandchildren.

“'The state of Arkansas has lost a true leader, and the Farm Bureau family has lost a gracious man,’ said Randy Veach of Manila (Mississippi County), current president of Arkansas Farm Bureau. ‘Stanley Reed stood for everything that is good and just about this organization. He was a man of integrity, compassion and faith.

“'As a past president of Arkansas Farm Bureau and its affiliated companies, Stanley demonstrated foresight and wisdom in dealing with an organization that represents one out of every four families in our state. He guided our organization through a time of challenging change, particularly as we restructured our business interests to better support the needs of our membership. His legal background and awareness were vital during this process.

“'Our prayers are with his family.'

"Reed served as a member of the state board of directors for 21 years, starting in 1987. He additionally served from 1993-99 as secretary-treasurer and from 2000-2003 as vice president. Reed was a past member of the American Farm Bureau (AFBF) board of directors and on the board of the Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance company, serving as vice chairman from 2006-09. He also was on the board of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance company. Reed was president of Lee County Farm Bureau from 1982-84.

"Reed is a former member of the University of Arkansas board of trustees (1998-2008), and served as chairman of the board from 2006-08. He was a distinguished alumnus of the University of Arkansas, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural engineering in 1973. He also earned a juris doctorate from the UofA in 1976, graduating with highest honors. He was a chairman of the UAMS College of Medicine Advisory Board, a member of the UAMS Foundation Board, a charter member of the Arkansas Academy of Biological and Agricultural engineering, and the Arkansas Delta WIRED Academy Steering Committee.

"At the time of his death, Reed was on the boards of Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Simmons National Bank, the Arkansas World Trade Center Board of Advisors and the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation. He previously served as a board member for Baptist Health. Additionally, Reed was a past board member of Cotton Incorporated and the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Committee.

"Reed also served as a member of the AFBF Trade Advisory Committee. He traveled extensively to promote Arkansas agriculture, including trade missions to Cuba, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Mexico, Turkey, Brazil, Peru, Panama and Rwanda."

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