Obituary of Stephen Lloyd Reid
HUDSON - Stephen Lloyd Reid, 78, passed away Tuesday evening, November 2, 2021.
Steve was born at 8:01 a.m. on April 24th, 1943, to parents, Lonzie and Dorothy Reid in Louisville, KY. And brother Kenneth would later join the family four years later. What dad remembered most about his parents is that his dad was always there and that his mom was the reason he went to college. Steve was the first to do so in his family. Though they came from very humble beginnings, Steve was taught love, kindness, forgiveness and how to be a good and decent human being. One of Steve’s first sayings as a little boy was: “Good Morning!” Steve would keep this tradition late into adult life and say it to everyone he encountered whether it was morning/noon/night. Steve was also known to tell people on their way out: “Don’t take any wooden nickels.”
Steve was wicked intelligent, loved a good conversation, and had a keen sense of humor. After graduating from Desales High School in 1961, Steve would go on to attend Kent State University on both academic, (he was 7th in his class), and football scholarships, (both the Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs asked him to tryout), on a greyhound and only three suitcases to his name. Steve would meet his true love, Kathleen Elizabeth Kunzi, on the first day of school. Steve sat next to Kathy in Psychology class and pulled Kathy’s hair. Kathy and her friend moved up. And Steve and his football buddy followed in pursuit. Steve told his teammate that he was going to marry that girl. Steve did just that and the rest, as they say, is history. Steve married for love in 1965. True love. Not for money. Nor for connections. Because of this, he gained the whole world. Steve was truly a self-made man.
Steve earned certifications in Health, Physical Education and Adapted Physical Education, all K-12; Biological Science, Driver Education, and a Master’s in Education Administration. Steve would later go on to both coach and teach at Garfield in Garrettsville, Roberts Middle School in Cuyahoga Falls and Bolich Middle School in Cuyahoga Falls. Steve earned many awards and championships. He coached football, cross country, basketball, wrestling, track, etc. (He even drove a school bus for Garfield in Garrettsville.)
One of Steve’s former players from Garfield (Garrettsville), who was visited by the great Woody Hayes, is quoted as saying: “By golly, your dad could MOVE for a big guy!” What made Steve a special teacher and coach is that he cared, that he rooted for the underdog, and that he was always ready to listen to his students well before and after school when most teachers had already left. In fact, students used to line up before and after school just to talk with Steve. In 1970, Steve and Kathy would have their first son, Danny (Dan). He was their pride and joy. And even though they didn’t have money, they were so in love. “Danny’s Song” by Loggins and Messina, also conveniently penned and sung in 1970, describes to a T Kathy and Steve’s love for one another and their newborn son. All three had a happy life on Middlebury Road in Kent, just up the street from the park. Many fond memories indeed. Four years later in 1974, Kathy and Steve would go on to have their 2nd and 3rd boys, twins, Brett and Shane. All five enjoyed many great years on Mockingbird Circle in Heather Hills, Stow, OH. Great friends, great kickball games, and great parties - much like the movie, “Sandlot.”
In 1984, Kathy, Steve and their boys would move to Hudson and establish Kathy Reid Realty where they represented and wrote the marketing plan for the number one builder in Prestige Homes (formerly Oakcrest Homes). Steve and Kathy first got their start in real estate in 1967. They would both later become brokers after 1984. They made for a great team. What set Steve and Kathy apart from the competition is their uncompromising values, attention to details, and both their great marketing and business minds. Dad always put his family first. But mom always came first and rightfully so, as any good man will tell you that that is how it should be.
Dad was a full-time teacher, coach, and businessman; however, he took great pleasure in coaching all three of his boys along with their many championships teams. Some men are great husbands, some are great fathers, some are great teachers, and some are great businessmen. Dad is all of these things. Faith, hope and love. Of these, love is most important. Steve embodied this fact. He loved life deeply and lived it intensely.
Steve is survived by his best friend, Kathy of 59 years; sons Dan (Cheryl), Shane (Rebecca), and Brett (Tara). Papa is also survived by his loving grandchildren and apples of his eye: Briana, Brody, Cole, Corey, Madeline and Kate.
Additionally, Steve is survived by his brother, Ken Reid (Mary Lou); brothers-in-law, Jay Lindberg (Cindy) and Chris Kunzi (Kathy); nephews Nick (Jennifer) and Brad (Sara) Reid, Ryan and Taylor Kunzi, and niece Kim Harwood.
Many thanks to Roger (Robert) and Betty Mast and family, Cindy Kinzel, Faye Smith, and Brent Yoder, along with everyone else who took care of, respected and loved Steve as if he was their own father.
Friends may call Sunday 2 to 5 PM at Redmon Funeral Home, 3633 Darrow Road, Stow. Mass of the Christian Burial Monday 11 AM at St. Mary Catholic Church, 340 N. Main Street, Hudson. Burial All Saints Cemetery. Food and fellowship to follow at the family home.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Stephen L. Reid Memorial Scholarship Fund. Contributions for the Stephen Reid Memorial Scholarship may be sent to the KSU Foundation, P.O. Box 5190, Kent, OH, 44242, or online at givetokent.org. Please make checks payable to the KSU Foundation and note “Stephen Reid Memorial Scholarship” in the memo line.