CONGRESS Sen. Elizabeth Warren's oldest brother dies from coronavirus

Source: NBC News

April 23, 2020 at 17:35

CONGRESS Sen. Elizabeth Warren's oldest brother dies from coronavirus

"What made him extra special was his smile," Warren tweeted, adding, "I'll miss you dearly my brother."

By Rebecca Shabad

WASHINGTON — Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., said Thursday that her oldest brother died from coronavirus earlier this week.

“My oldest brother, Don Reed, died from coronavirus on Tuesday evening," Warren, who dropped out of the presidential race last month, tweeted, including a link to a Boston Globe story on her brother's death. "He joined the Air Force at 19 and spent his career in the military, including five and a half years off and on in combat in Vietnam. He was charming and funny, a natural leader."

My oldest brother, Don Reed, died from coronavirus on Tuesday evening. He joined the Air Force at 19 and spent his career in the military, including five and a half years off and on in combat in Vietnam. He was charming and funny, a natural leader. https://t.co/b8m0xKzAmM
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) April 23, 2020

In two follow-up tweets, Warren said her brother was special because of his smile and thanked those who had cared for him.

"What made him extra special was his smile — quick and crooked, it always seemed to generate its own light, one that lit up everyone around him," Warren wrote.

“I’m grateful to the nurses and frontline staff who took care of him, but it’s hard to know that there was no family to hold his hand or to say 'I love you' one more time — and no funeral for those of us who loved him to hold each other close," she continued. "I'll miss you dearly my brother.”

My oldest brother, Don Reed, died from coronavirus on Tuesday evening. He joined the Air Force at 19 and spent his career in the military, including five and a half years off and on in combat in Vietnam. He was charming and funny, a natural leader. https://t.co/b8m0xKzAmM
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) April 23, 2020

What made him extra special was his smile—quick and crooked, it always seemed to generate its own light, one that lit up everyone around him. pic.twitter.com/SFMOaBVCN3
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) April 23, 2020

The Globe identified Warren's brother as Donald Reed Herring and said he died Tuesday at the age of 86 in Norman, Oklahoma, about three weeks after he tested positive for COVID-19. He had been hospitalized in February for pneumonia and was moved to a rehabilitation center, the report said, citing information provided by his family. In mid-April, he was moved to intensive care, but was never put on a ventilator.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a tweet that he was heartbroken for his colleague.

I’m heartbroken for my friend Elizabeth Warren and her family. My prayers go to them.

I’m heartbroken too many Americans are fighting through this grief and aren’t able to be with their family members to hold their hands and tell them they love them.

I’m so sorry, Elizabeth. https://t.co/v4azh7ahdT
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) April 23, 2020

Herring was the oldest of Warren’s three brothers. The other two, John Herring and David Herring, are still alive, the report said. Warren often spoke about her siblings during her presidential campaign and how they were raised in Oklahoma, a conservative state. Two of her brothers, Don Reed and David, were Republicans. In January, the three brothers appeared in a campaign video for Warren’s White House bid.

In addition to his siblings, Herring is survived by his wife Judith Anne Hart, and his sons John and Jeffrey, the Globe reported.