Its Steelers' Nation Heavenly Celebration!!!

This faithful Steelers Fan, our Kevin is on his way to the Superbowl in the sky with our Heavenly Father and his Son Jesus Christ.

Kevin was born on February 1, 1957, in Newark, New Jersey to the late Marvin and Ruby Jones Reed.

Kevin was a lifelong resident of the city of Newark. He was baptized at an early age and a member of the Metropolitan Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey.  He graduated from Vailsburg High School and he attended Morgan State University.  Kevin was a Supervisor of Maintenance at Essex County Vocational School in Bloomfield, New Jersey.  He also worked at Gambrel Electrical in Hillside, New Jersey.

Although Kevin never had children, he was a father figure to all his nieces, nephews, cousins, close friends' children, and a special father figure to his niece Tiffany.  He was "Uncle Kevin" to every child who knew them.  He did a lot of volunteer work in the city of Newark. He attended every event involving his family and friends.

Most of all he loved football.  He played football in high school but never had a chance to play football in college because of his health.  He was also a lifelong Pittsburgh  Steelers fan.  He owned at least 30 jerseys, 40 caps, and other memorabilia. He knew the history of all the players and their backgrounds.  He ate and lived for football.  He knew all the National Football League 32 teams in NFC and AFC.  He was his own commentator and should have been a live TV commentator.  His second passion was basketball, and he knew everything about the NBA, WNBA, you named it he knew it. He loved sports. He was a sports historian.

At the age of 38, Kevin became sick at the end of 1996 from a virus that went to his heart.  His doctors told him he would need a heart transplant.  In May 1997 Kevin was blessed with a new "heart".  It did not come easy.  A week or so after the transplant he had to have part of this colon taken out.  GOD and only GOD and his Son Jesus Christ brought him though. During that time, he was hospitalized and he met numerous friends who were going through the same thing he was and some of them did not survive.  GOD was saving him for something else. Throughout the years, he had numerous health problems, but he never ever gave up.  He was so loved by all who knew him.  He was so mannerable, caring, kind, and courteous.  He always said, "Thank you and GOD bless you".

All the doctors (Dr. Zucker), nurses, nurse practitioner, and other staff members at Newark Beth Israel Heart Transplant Facility loved him and he received their incredibly special care always.

When our grandmother and mom got sick he became their caregiver also with all of us who did the same.  Especially to my mother, what son would do that only Kevin.

Kevin never married, but he did have a special lady.  All his friends and family called him Kev and loved him and looked out for him.  If he needed help,  they were there.

Kevin may have only lived a short 63 years; he had a life full of love for everyone. His health was failing.  Heart transplants normally last 6 to 10 years but Kevin had 24 years.  GOD gave him a special heart for him to give love to all.  I asked, "why GOD did you take him from us" GOD said "I was ready for him and I'm waiting on you all"

Kevin is preceded in death by his father Marvin, his mother Ruby Jones Reed, his stepfather Henry Reed, his grandmother Mary C. Jones, brother and sister Larry Jones, and Lorraine Jones Macklin.

Kevin leaves behind his second mother Aunt Fannie Glover, sister Olivia (Kenneth) Smith, stepsister Ann Reed, niece Tiffany (Rodney) Burton, great-nephews Jeffrey, Terrell, Jordan, great-niece Taylor. Cousins that are considered sisters and brothers who are Mae (James) Johnson, Darrell (Tamika) Glover Sr, Darrell Glover II, Trene (Kenny) Lewis, James (Gabby) Johnson, Jarrett (Jackie) Johnson, Tracey and Daniel Collins, and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and his special lady.

We all grew up together, we did not have much, but we sure had a lot of love for each other.

Service will be Saturday, November 14, 2020, Viewing 8:00 am – 9:00 am  Service 9:00 am

Cotton Funeral Service 1025 Bergen Street  Newark, New Jersey

The guest registry is at http://www.carriganmemorial.com .

Arrangements are entrusted to Carrigan Memorial Funeral Services