Roy William Reid, Jr.

Roy had a wonderful life and gave thanks for his 69 years of marriage to Bern, his seven marvelous children - gifts from God, and to his parents, siblings, relatives and friends. He is remembered for his positive outlook on life and his endless jokes and puns. 

Roy was born in Flint, Michigan, and spent a lot of his growing up years on the South Side of Chicago, where he started his entrepreneur bent by selling hot dogs to Nuns. He was also a big movie fan and would often attend double features at the Chicago theaters. He was a Boy Scout and often told his children about his very adventurous Boy Scout experiences. He received his Bachelors and Master’s Degrees from the University of Detroit and served in the Naval Reserve.

It was Roy’s association with the church that he found most fulfilling. His entry into the Catholic Church began with Baptism at the age of five and, at the age of ten, he entered into formal Catholic education under the teaching of the Adrian Dominican Sisters in Elementary School, Chicago, IL, the Christian Brothers, Chicago, IL, the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters, Flint, MI, in High School, and, finally, the Jesuits at the University of Detroit, Detroit, MI. Religious education was further served by clergy, parish administrators and parishioners in parishes including, St. Laurence, Chicago, IL, St. Michael’s, Flint, MI, Gesu, Detroit, MI, Our Lady of Fatima, Oak Park, MI, St. Bede, Lathrup Village, MI, St. Thomas Aquinas, Saginaw, MI, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, LaFollette, TN, Sacred Heart, Knoxville, TN, St. Mary, Chillicothe OH, and Christ the King, Daphne, AL.

Roy served in a variety of capacities at these schools and churches including Extraordinary Minister (distributing Host and Precious Blood to communicants), Lector (proclaiming Scripture at Mass), as an Altar Server, and training Altar Servers. Other ministries included: R.C.I.A. (Right of Christian Initiation for Adults), Catholics Returning Home, Mercy Medical Communion Services, Perpetual Adoration, Vocations / Serra Club, Elijah Cup, Parish Library and 40 Days for Life. The Church in various ministries along the way, including: attending daily Mass, Extraordinary Minister (distributing Host and Precious Blood to communicants). Roy gives a special thank you to all clergy and parish administrators who have assisted him, to parish friends who participated in these ministries, and to all in his life who gave a wave and a hello as they met.

His professional life was in purchasing which began at the University of Detroit (Detroit Mercy) and concluded with purchasing for Lockheed Martin in Portsmouth, Ohio, with a number of stops in between. His employment provided sustenance, brought many friendships, and a broadening of his life experiences.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Bernadette Deisler Reid, parents, Marie Dittmar Grady and Roy William Reid, step-mother, Eleanor O’Brien Reid, step-fathers, Albert Jan Koerts and Joseph Norbert Grady, brothers, Peter Albert Koerts and Albert Jan ( A.J.) Koerts and sisters, Alice Koerts and Elizabeth Richardson Gilbert.

He is survived by his seven children, Bill Reid of Saginaw, MI, Timothy Reid of Daphne, AL, Kathy Bernadette Zeiders (Dave) of Savoy, IL, Michael Reid (Sheila) of Grand Rapids, MI, Mary Huerth (Jim) of Fishersville, VA, Marty Reid (Beth) of Daphne, AL, and Rosy Reid of Theodore, AL. He is survived by ten grandchildren, Josh Methven (Kara), Jeremiah Methven (Betsy), Jack Zeiders (Erika), Andrew Reid (Melody), Thomas Reid, (Laura), Laura Hyde (Josh), Tim Huerth, John Huerth (Katrina), Krista Reid (Dan), and Isabella Reid, and eleven great-grandchildren, James, Ian, Daisy, Cayden, Ransom, Brianna, Audrey, Rosey, Teddy, Henry, and Magnolia. He is also survived by his sister Gloria Reid Rogers and many nieces and nephews.

A special thank you to neighbor and family friend Sue Warden, Visiting Angels (Kassidy, Imanie, Gwen, Sandra, Ansley, Brandi, Julie, Nikki, Sara, Brenda, Tasoon, Rebekah, Emily, Barbara, Eliza, Lillie, Kimya, Elizabeth, Ian, Monica, Brittany, Pamela, Sonya, Rachel, Tammy, Melissa and all his "angels") and Hospice Nurses (Jessica, Tracy, Autumn, Tina) that provided comfort and care to Roy. Also a special thank you to Stephanie Argiro for bringing Communion and Spiritual healing to Roy every week.  

Roy asked for blessings from God and that we all come together, and he asked for your continued prayers.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held from Christ the King Catholic Church, Friday, June 12, 2026 at 11:00 am.  The family will receive friends from 10:00 am until the service begins.  

Interment will follow in Belforest Catholic Cemetery, Daphne, AL.

Memorials can be sent to;

The Library at Christ The King Catholic Church 
251-626-2343, 711 College Ave Daphne, AL 36532  office@ctkdaphne.org

Ecumenical Ministries
566 Fairhope Ave, Fairhope, AL 36532