Thomas Chancellor Reed
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Thomas's obituary
Thomas Chancellor Reed, R.Ph.
January 16, 1945 – January 24, 2026
Our pharmacist co-founder and emotional leader, Thomas Chancellor Reed, R.Ph., passed away on Saturday, January 24, 2026, in Tucson, Arizona, at the age of 81.
Tom was born on January 16, 1945, in Oswego, New York. Following in the footsteps of both his father and grandfather, Tom carried forward the family tradition as a third-generation pharmacist, graduating from the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy in 1969.
Tom proudly served in the United States Army as a First Lieutenant in the Signal Corps, stationed at Fort Gordon, Georgia, from 1970 to 1972. Following his military service, he worked as a pharmacist at the Prescription Shop in downtown Tucson until purchasing Jones Drug Company in 1979 from Walter Hafley, R.Ph. Tom was a deeply caring pharmacist who loved his profession and the legacy it represented. To further continue this legacy, Tom opened Reed’s Compounding Pharmacy in 1998 with his daughter Dana and sold Jones Drug Company in 2001. Tom and Dana worked alongside each other until 2013 when he retired.
A pioneer in the field of compounding pharmacy, Tom was one of the last true independent pharmacy owners in Arizona. In fact, when Tom closed Jones Drug Company, it was the longest running independent community pharmacy left in the State of Arizona. In recognition of his professional contributions, he received the Jack R. Cole, Ph.D. Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy in 2024.
Tom had a lifelong love for his profession, his patients and his community. After retiring from day to day operations in 2013, Tom still continued to be involved with the customizing pharmacy that his daughter Dana ran, his profession, and professional pharmacy organizations. Tom continued to attend pharmacy conferences as well as volunteered at the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy Museum where he served as a docent, sharing stories of the history of pharmacy and compounding. He was deeply connected with the many communities he cherished throughout his life.
In 2023, Tom and Dana partnered with the independent chain of Pharmacy Innovations, to grow their footprint, and ensure the survival of independent pharmacy in Tucson. This partnership helped to expand the practice, and increased offerings and services. Compounding pharmacy is a vital service to those that need and desire individualized medicines and Pharmacy Innovations is proud to help keep Tom and Dana’s vision alive and ensure their patients have access to customized medications.
Tom Reed—pharmacist, alumnus, volunteer, colleague, mentor, friend —made all of us better people for knowing and loving him, as he truly loved all of us. His strength, spirit, wisdom, generosity, selflessness, humor, and enduring love will live on forever in our hearts. We will always cherish our time with you, Tom.
If you are inclined to honor Tom’s memory, please consider a donation to:
Reed Family Memorial Scholarship Endowment at the University of Arizona Foundation
https://give.uafoundation.org…
or
University of Arizona Athletics – Wildcat Club Sports-Specific Scholarships Program
https://giving.arizona.edu/ar…
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