Courier columnist and Ballito resident Dudley J. Reed left behind a legacy you can measure today in the lives of countless people he impacted.

Passing away in his sleep just shy of his 80th birthday, DJ leaves behind his wife Margie, his sons Shawn and David, Shawn’s fiancée Deborah McKellar and David’s wife Kascha and their two children.

The family are well known for their leadership at a number of local churches and around the world for their ministry.

DJ was born in East London, raised in Durban and at 15 moved to Gauteng where he met Margie at their mutual church.

They were best friends for five years before love blossomed and they were married on June 1, 1963.

Following their God-passion they attended bible college in Canada for 3 years.

Margie dropped out in their final year to support her husband’s studies.

They returned to South Africa and threw themselves into working with the youth in a church in Roodepoort during a time of incredible revival.

It was not long before DJ left his job with Anglo America as a chemist and went into ministry full time.

He was a minister with Assemblies of God before joining New Covenant Ministries International where he led the ‘Take the Nations Teams’ training and missions into Mozambique and other African countries for about 7 years.

He pastored numerous churches and was often sent to help churches in trouble. 

DJ’s main passion in life was people and connecting them with Jesus.

“My father left behind a river of sons,” said Shawn.

“We shared our dad with hundreds of people and there was always room for more.”

Shawn said that while they wished he could be with them, the family had peace because he was now with Jesus.

On the North Coast DJ spent many years at Bayside (now Encounter Church), Linc Church and was a member of Freedom House Church when he died. 

Margie said his time at Freedom House were some of the happiest years of his life.

“He was surrounded by people who loved and honoured him,” she said.

DJ’s life was celebrated at a memorial at Freedom House on Monday.