John (“Jack”) Brian Reeder, passed away peacefully but unexpectedly on Friday, September 4, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Jack was a beloved son, grandson, nephew, cousin, and friend. His kindness, warmth of spirit, humor, sparkle, and brilliance brought joy to all who knew him.

Jack was born on November 27, 2006, in Madison, Wisconsin, the cherished son of Jean Brittain and Scott Reeder. Jack brought immense joy, boundless love, laughter, and pride to Jean and Scott for nearly 20 years. He was the light of their lives and the center of their world.

Jack attended Madison Country Day School in Waunakee, Wisconsin, before attending and graduating with High Honors from Middleton High School. After high school graduation, Jack took a gap year to work at UW Health in Madison, Wisconsin as an MRI Technologist Assistant, before starting his freshman year at the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities where he was majoring in Linguistics, with a minor in Russian.

Music brought great joy to Jack, and he was a talented musician. After Kindermusik at a young age, he took many years of piano, cello, saxophone, and clarinet lessons. He also taught himself acoustic guitar, bass guitar, ukelele and many other instruments, although saxophone was his true musical love. He played cello with the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra, performed piano, cello and saxophone alone and in ensembles at Madison Country Day School, through his teachers’ studios, and at the Wisconsin School Music Association Solo and Ensemble competitions. Jack was also an enthusiastic member of Middleton High School’s top concert and jazz bands, including the 7 ’clock Jazz Band. Playing music with friends was one of his greatest joys, and band trips to New York City, Philadelphia, Puerto Rico, New Orleans, and Greece were favorite memories. Jack’s many performances and solos were enjoyed by all, but most of all by his proud parents. Jack’s musicality was a beautiful gift that often moved his parents to tears.

During his time at Middleton High School, Jack was on the cross-country team for all four years, culminating in his role as a Team Captain during his senior year. Jack was legendary for his pre-meet inspirational pep-talks that were a team and fan favorite. He loved the team spirit and camaraderie, and even when injured, he never missed a meet. Jack’s natural leadership and team spirit were recognized by the Cross-Country Nature Boy Award, awarded to the team member who most embodies the spirit of the team. Jack also competed on the Middleton High School Track Team.

Nature was a great love that Jack first learned through summers spent in northern Wisconsin with his parents, and later as a camper and Outpost Program participant at Camp Manito-wish in Boulder Junction. Backpacking expeditions to the Porcupine Mountains, Isle Royale, and a 25-day adventure in the Selway-Bitterroot wilderness in Idaho were unforgettable experiences.

Jack’s gap year was a pivotal and formative time. Working as an MRI Technologist Assistant at UW Health taught him about responsibility and was a time of joy and independence. His colleagues deeply admired his compassion and calm manner with patients, and also his quick thinking, which once helped to save a patient’s life. He was especially good with children in all aspects of his life, including his time with UW Health. He was frequently assigned to the Children’s Hospital because of his special gift with sick children and their parents and his ability to put them at ease during trying times.

Jack was an incredibly kind and generous person with a strong sense of social justice. He saw the good in everyone. He was always the first to protect the underdog and the vulnerable, and he had a natural sense of right and wrong. He had the precocious ability to see through the many hypocrisies of the world, and he was often troubled by the unfair nature of life. He wanted to make the world a better place.

Despite the challenges faced by many during the pandemic and by many youth in our modern age, Jack was blossoming. He was living his best life and was happy and excited with a plan for a positive and productive future before his life was tragically cut short.

Jack was kind, smart, funny, and fiercely loyal to his family and friends. He had an uncanny ability to connect with his peers, adults, and children, and he put all at ease. He was curious and brave and always open to trying new things. He had an infectious smile that could light up a room and a delightfully offbeat sense of humor. He had a quick wit that caught many by surprise. He was a deep feeler, and he thought deeply about the world and what it meant to be alive.

His parents, extended family, and friends are devastated by his loss and yet are profoundly grateful for 20 years of treasured memories. These memories are a precious gift, as was Jack. He will be missed more than words can express, and he will be in our hearts forever.

Jack was preceded in death by his adoring grandparents, Stewart (“Stu”) Wayne Reeder as well as Robert Willis (“Bill”) and Joyce Ann Brittain, who nicknamed Jack “Wonderboy”. Jack is survived by his parents Jean Brittain and Scott Reeder of Middleton, Wisconsin; his grandmother Ellen Reeder of Portland, Oregon; his aunt Carolyn Brodie (née Brittain, Mark Brodie) of Indianola, Iowa; his uncle Andrew (Jodie) Reeder of Kaleden, British Columbia; his aunt Carolyn MacNaughton (née Reeder, James Savino) of Portland, Oregon; his cousins Katherine MacNaughton, Erin Reeder, William MacNaughton, Matthew Reeder, Ellen Brodie and Charlotte MacNaughton; and countless friends.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established in Jack’s name at a later date.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Friday, September 18, at First Presbyterian Church of Waunakee, at 5763 County Rd. Q, Waunakee, Wisconsin. A lunch reception will follow the service, followed by a facilitated Celebration of Life for Jack’s friends to gather and share fond memories of Jack. The funeral service will be livestreamed at the Cress Funeral Home website. Interment will follow at a later date at the Forest Hill Cemetery in Madison, Wisconsin in a private family ceremony.

Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com.

Winn-Cress Funeral Service

2929 Peaceful Valley Pkwy

Waunakee, WI