Gov. LePage is ordering flags in Maine flown at half-staff on Wednesday in honor of former Gov. John Reed, who died last week at the age of 91.

Gov. Paul LePage is ordering flags in Maine flown at half-staff Wednesday in honor of former Gov. John Reed.

Reed died last week at the age of 91. A service in his honor is scheduled for Wednesday in Washington, D.C.

Reed became governor in 1959 after the unexpected death of Gov. Clauson. He served as governor until 1967. He later helped create the University of Maine system and served as chair of the National Governor's Association.

Reed, who was a native of Aroostook County and a World War II Navy veteran, went on to become U.S. ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives under Presidents Nixon and Reagan.