Thomas James Reid, 83, of Gainesville, GA, died on December 15, 2021 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center. He was born on December 10, 1938 in Keokuk, IA to Oaklyn James and Etta (Teller) Reid. He graduated from Keokuk Senior High School in 1957, earned an associate degree at Southeastern Community College in Keokuk, then later earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at Savannah State College.
Tom served the Iowa National Guard for nine years, achieving the rank of First Lieutenant.
In 1972, Tom married Bettie Bond. He adopted her two children, and together they raised their family in Fort Madison, IA, Sioux Falls, SD, and then Sioux City, IA before moving to Savannah, GA. Bettie died in 2014.
Tom had a 42-year career in industrial purchasing, the last 18 years of which were at Gulfstream Aerospace in Savannah. He had certification in production and inventory management, and was a certified purchasing manager. As a senior buyer, Tom negotiated long-term contracts and cost reductions, and taught quality improvement trainings for production and inventory management. He took pride in achieving cost savings on behalf of the company in a high-stakes work environment. Tom later served as an income tax preparer in Savannah and Gainesville.
Tom and Bettie moved to Gainesville in 2004. Bettie continued her work as an antique dealer, and Tom served as the chief repairer, painter, and fixer-upper for the antique business. He was a Lions Club member, and served as treasurer and financial advisor for the Redbud Project (a non-profit environmental conservation group). He was an elder in the First Presbyterian Church (in Savannah) and Head Usher in Gainesville. Tom loved his work as an usher and greeter and was particularly proud of establishing a practice of greeting people not only as they entered the worship service, but also as they exited the church service, saying he didn’t want people to just be church goers, he wanted them to know they were part of a community. Tom had a servant’s heart and he genuinely cared for others.
In addition to his wife, Tom was preceded in death by his parents, stepfather, brothers-in-law, and a niece.
He is survived by his daughter, Angela P. Reid (Gideon Cheshire); son, Randall L. Reid (Becky); granddaughter, Courtney Reid; great-granddaughter, Emily Reid; sisters, Mary Anne Roberts of Sacramento, CA and Doris Robertson of Keokuk, IA; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on December 28 at 11am at the First Presbyterian Church in Gainesville. A reception will follow. The Rev. Shon Peppers will officiate. The service will be live streamed at www.fpcga.org.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the First Presbyterian Church or the Redbud Project in Tom’s memory. Memorials may be sent to First Presbyterian Church 800 S. Enota Dr. NE Gainesville, GA 30501.
Those wishing to send online condolences to the family may do so at littledavenport.com
Little & Davenport Funeral Home & Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Georgia 30501 is in charge of arrangements.
