Retired Charleston automotive leader Gene Reed dead at 87

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Eugene “Gene” Reed, Jr., a former longtime Charleston automotive leader, has died at age 87.

Born in Dyersburg, Tennessee in 1937, Reed would eventually embark on a career in the automotive industry shortly after graduating from Memphis State in 1963 working for Chrysler Automotive. He later purchased his first dealership – a Dodge franchise – in the mid-70s in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

By the 1980s, Reed opened a new dealership off Dorchester Road where he sold Chevrolet vehicles. His footprint only grew over time adding myriad owned-and-operated businesses to include Chevrolet, Chrysler, Mitsubishi, Toyota, Lexus, Range Rover, Honda, Jaguar, and Mercedes franchises.

Longtime residents of the Lowcountry may remember his frequent commercials advertising ‘Gene Reed Toyota’ off Rivers Avenue featuring the charismatic Tim Jones.

“Through all his years in business, Gene’s number one concern was putting the customer first,” said an online obituary.

Family members wrote in his memorial that Reed prioritized giving back to the community. After the Lowcountry was devastated by Hurricane Hugo in September 1989, Reed made a sizeable donation that kicked off the ‘Battered But Not Beaten Fund’ for families without insurance.

They say he funded scholarships at the College of Charleston and Trident Technical College, and donated funds to the American Cancer Society, which were used to build the Gene Reed Hope Lodge, a place that provided free housing for cancer patients who traveled to Charleston for treatment.

“Recently, Gene’s donations to the MUSC Children’s Hospital, the Gaillard and Darkness to Light have been substantial. Gene was awarded The Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest civilian honor by the Governor,” his memorial read.

Reed died Wednesday at Roper Hospital. The family says memorials can be made to MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital through the MUSC Foundation in his honor.