Ted B. Reed

TED B. REED

VICTORIA - Ted Brooks Reed "Mayor", son of Melva May Brooks Miller, was born in Mission, on Feb. 20, 1923. Ted's death occurred on Thursday, June 14, 2007, after a lengthy illness. Ted was a graduate of Mission High School and the University of Texas in Austin. He earned a BBA from the University of Texas and a Masters in Education from Trinity University in San Antonio.Ted initially came to Victoria in 1941, when he was stationed at Foster Field where he served his country as a Sergeant Major in the Army Air Corps during WWII. After the war he continued his education at the University of Texas where he met and married his wife, of 59 years, Betty Blades Reed. Ted and Betty had four children. Ted was an extremely active and well-respected leader in the Victoria Independent School District and the City of Victoria.
He made significant contributions to the community in improving the quality of life in the areas of education, youth, public service and local government. Ted's desire to serve others is perhaps best summarized by Albert Schweitzer when he said, "I do not know what your destiny will be, but I know you will not be truly happy unless you have sought and found how to serve."
In 1957, he began a career in education that spanned three decades. He taught at O'Connor Elementary, was principal at William Offer and Guadalupe Elementary schools. He served as principal of Victoria High School, and was the first principal of Stroman High School. He opened the doors of Stroman High School in the fall of 1967. He relished his role as the "Father of Raider Pride." He remained at Stroman until he retired from VISD in 1985, having served 18 years as the principal. He was an advocate of learning, a devoted supporter of students, teachers and parents and is the only educator to serve as principal of both Stroman and Victoria High School. As a professional educator he felt that he, his staff, the superintendent, and the board worked for the students rather than vice versa. As Schweitzer stated, "The true worth of a man is not to be found in man himself, but in the colours and textures that come alive in others."During his term in public office, Ted focused on economy in government, improving the quality of life for Victorians of all ages, instituting a safer community and encouraging citizen input. He served 4 years as a councilman and 4 years as a planning commissioner before being elected mayor in 1981, a position he held for 11 years. As mayor, he brought a special brand of leadership and integrity to the city. His tenure with the City of Victoria totaled 19 years.
His active involvement in community organizations included having served as chairman of the 176 Committee celebration of "Victoria's Birthday"; three times as president of the YMCA; first president of the Friends of the Public Library; first president of Corporate Cup; president of the Victoria Chamber of Commerce; president of United Way; president of Junior Achievement; former Board Member of Making the Grade, former director of Boys and Girls Club; president of Victoria Housing Finance Corporation; president of the Cultural Council; American Heart Association Board Member; past member of the DeLeon Boy Scout District Committee and former member of the Parks and Recreation Commission. Many honors were bestowed upon Ted for his unselfish commitment to Victoria and its citizens. These honors include, but are not limited to, the University of Houston-Victoria's 2003 People Who Make a Difference award; the Gulf Coast Council Boy Scouts of America's 2000 Distinguished Citizen award; the Victoria Rotary Club's Service Above Self award; Administrator of the Year, a statewide award from the Texas State Teachers Association; the Jaycees Boss of the Year award; the March of Dimes Outstanding Service award; the Kiwanis Distinguished Service award; appointment as a Admiral in the Texas Navy by Governor Bill Clements; appointment as an Alcalde-Honorary Mayor of San Antonio by Mayor Henry Cisneros; being listed in Who's Who in Secondary Education. A city park was named in his honor recognizing his efforts to address the recreational need of Victoria's youth. Among his significant community activities are the initiation of the Mayor's Image Committee seeking citizen input; activating the program to finger print small children with records given to the parents; a member of the Civilian Police Academy and the establishment of the Victoria Crime Commission. According to Schweitzer, "there is no higher religion than human service. To work for the common good is the greatest creed." When Ted came to Victoria in 1954, he and his family became very active in the First United Methodist Church. He served in positions such as the Superintendent of Sunday School, a member of the Men's Bible class and a lay preacher. As a lay preacher he preached at the First United Methodist Church and at the Hope and Telfener churches. Ted was a current member of Northside Baptist Church and enjoyed attending church and Dr. Starkey's Bible class until he became physically unable to do so.
He is survived by his wife, Betty Blades Reed; son, Ted B. Reed Jr. and wife, Martha Cheryl Justice of Corpus Christi; son, William B. Reed and wife, Joy of Victoria; daughter, Melissa Porche of Houston/Victoria; and daughter, Sissy A. Mills of Alpine; 11 grandchildren, Dr. Rikki Rene Scroggin and husband, Jerry of New Braunfels; Kelli Amanda Hunt and husband, Lance of Garland; Emily Suzanne Reed of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Jill Horelka and husband, Rodney of Victoria; Jamie Reed of Victoria; William B. Reed Jr. of Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Hillaire Porche of Houston; Bryan Porche and wife, Brianne of San Antonio; Brooks Porche of San Antonio; Paul Porche of Victoria; Dawn Clouse of El Paso; nine great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Bonnie Blades Allen and husband, George N. Allen of Houston.
Funeral Services will be at 2 p.m. today at Northside Baptist Church, 4100 N.Laurent Street, with Pastor Tim Williams officiating.
Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Pallbearers include Will Armstrong, Denny Arnold, Bill Dunn, Charles Gilpin, Robert Martin, Noble Malik, Bill Russell, James Stewart, Richard Thompson, Jock Ross..
Honorary Pallbearers: 1967-1985 Stroman High School faculty, staff and student bodies; 1977-1996 City Council members; members of the Victoria Fire Dept., Victoria Police Dept., and Victoria County Sheriff's Dept.
Memorials may be made in Ted's memory to The Ted Reed, Raider Pride Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o First Victoria Bank or Hospice of South Texas.
Arrangements by Colonial Funeral Home, 1801 E. Red River, Victoria, 361-578-3535.
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