Thomas Michael Reid

The most influential people in Mike’s young life were his mother, Clydene, his grandmother, Oleta “Alta” Wilson Boley and grandfather, Clyde Boley. Raised in Abilene, Texas, he graduated from Cooper High School in 1964. He earned a Bachelor of Science with teaching fields in English and history from McMurry College, a teaching certificate in music from the University of North Texas, and a Master of Education from Tarleton State University, including mid-management and supervision certification.

Likely born singing, Mike embraced music from an early age and began to play the cornet at the age of 10. He played solo cornet in both the Cooper and McMurry bands, including mastering the art of McMurry’s signature aida trumpets and the posthorn. It was in the Bynum Band Hall that he met the love of his life, Sharon Robinson, a clarinetist and twirler.

Mike spent his lifetime teaching, first junior high band in Graham and Killeen, followed by years in the English classroom at Rancier Middle School in Killeen. He retired after 34 years in the classroom. He and Sharon built their life together in Killeen, where they famously dated for 20 years before marrying in 1989. He was a founding member and solo cornet for the Heights Concert Band, and he sang lead in men’s barbershop choruses and quartets. Mike attended the Texas Barbershop Harmony College to become a certified director, and his choir, the Country Gentlemen, competed at district, regional, state, and international levels. He also sang in two quartets, Notable Gentlemen and Over the Hill Gentlemen, who were known to deliver love songs to unsuspecting recipients on Valentine’s Day.

When not in rehearsals, Mike and Sharon enjoyed traveling on cruises, and he could be found at the bowling alley every Tuesday night. He was a Master Mason and a Shriner. Mike’s familial claim to fame was his fifth great grandfather, Francis Scott Key, and he loved to tell the story of the time he met trumpet-playing legend Doc Severinsen. A discerning instrument collector, Mike’s favorite showpieces were three Shires Severinsen model trumpets (gold, silver, and brass). He even helped Doc choose lead pipes on his Shires line.

Although he retired from teaching in 2003, Mike was an expert grammarian and was known to share his tidbits of knowledge with anyone and everyone, right up to his final days (any errors in grammar contained here-in are intentional to give Mike a thrill).

Mike was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents. Left to cherish his legacy are his wife of 35 years, Sharon Robinson Reid; brother-in-law Robert Robinson and wife Glenda; sister-in-law Gloria and husband Russell Mason; cousins Sharon Rogers and F.W. Wilson, Jr.; several nieces and nephews and their families; and a lifetime of friends, fellow teachers and musicians, and former students.

A Visitation will be held at Crawford Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Monday, December 30, followed by a Memorial Service at 3:00 p.m. Mike will be laid to rest alongside his mother and grandmother at Restland Memorial Park in Dallas on Friday, January 3.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts to McMurry University Band, the Barbershop Harmony Society, or Shriner’s Children’s Hospital in Houston.