Obituary of Dennis Reed Counts, Sr.

Dennis Reed Counts, Sr., 94, of Wytheville, VA passed to his heavenly home on Saturday, March 18, 2023. He was preceded in death by his wife, June Hicks Counts. Survivors include two daughters and a son, Susan Tickle, Betty Johnston (Harry), and Dennis R. Counts, Jr., nine grandchildren, Jennifer Tickle (John Carey), Brian Tickle (Ashton), Stephen Tickle, Angela T. Ripp (Kevin), Lauren Johnston (Lee Cross), Grace J. Gray, Mary C. Hagee (Jeremy), Molly C. Henry (Mark), William Counts (Hilary), seven great-grandchildren, Reed Carey, Vivian Carey, Seaver Ripp, Walker Henry, Matthew Hagee, Kinley Counts, and Rowen Counts. Reed was a graduate from The Medical College of Virginia School of Pharmacy. He opened Counts Drug Company in 1954 and was in business for 67 years. He served as President of the Southwest Virginia Pharmacists Association. Counts Drug Company was honored to receive the Chancellor’s Award for Leadership and Philanthropy for its contributions to Wytheville Community College in 2010. He was instrumental in forming the Mount Rogers Mental Health and Mental Retardation Services Board, now known as the Mount Rogers Community Services, and served as its treasurer. He was a long-time member of the Wytheville Rotary Club, served as its President, was a multiple Paul Harris Fellow, and was recipient of the William E. Skelton Endowed Ambassadorial Scholarship Award. He took great joy in serving his community and received the Outstanding Citizenship Award by the Wytheville-Wythe-Bland Chamber of Commerce in 2003, and was the 2010 Town of Wytheville Honored Citizen, having his name placed on The Wall of Honor, Civic Monument. He was a faithful member of St. Paul United Methodist Church and served as Chairman of the Administrative Board, along with many other leadership positions. He was an accomplished musician and took great pleasure in playing the piano and was a founding member of the Wytheville Community College Community Band, playing the tenor saxophone for many years. Reed was a man of service and devotion to his community and to his family and will be greatly missed. Services will be held at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Wytheville, with visitation from 1pm until 2pm on Thursday, March 23 and funeral immediately following conducted by Reverend Lon Tobin with interment to follow in the West End Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.grubbfuneralhome.com Grubb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.