Dr. Stephen L. Reid

Dr. Stephen L. Reid passed away on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at UK Albert B. Chandler Hospital in Lexington after a long, heroic battle with multiple illnesses. He passed peacefully surrounded by his loving family.

Steve led an incredible life, one full of adventure and travel. His journey began on February 23, 1946, when he was born to capable and loving parents Edwin and Margaret Thweatt Reid. His childhood years in Graves County, specifically Symsonia, were spent growing up along side his older sister, Sandra and their first cousins, Lindsay and Joyce Ann Reid. As children of identical twins, Edwin and Edward Reid, these four children were extremely close and saw each other more as siblings than cousins.

After completing his undergraduate studies in 1968 at Murray State University where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, Steve moved to Lexington with his young family to pursue his doctorate in dentistry at the University of Kentucky.

Dr. Reid graduated from UK College of Dentistry in 1973 and went into private practice until he returned to the University joining the staff in a teaching position. After completing his time teaching, he embraced the challenge of moving abroad, taking a position within the dental department at King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Steve lived and worked in Saudi Arabia for seventeen years, with the last ten spent working for, and directly with, the highest leadership of the Saudi Royal Family. Those ten years afforded him the opportunity to travel the globe as part of the Royal Entourage, enabling him to see and experience things unimaginable to him during his youth in Symsonia.

His professional life afforded a rich tapestry of memories and as a compelling storyteller he would, if asked, indulge those that were interested. However, his life was so much more. Steve, aka "The Kingfish," was the founding member and leader of The Mystic Knights of The Sea, an eclectic band of raconteurs that gathered routinely to enjoy each other's company and plan their next fishing trip. He also was an eager participant in the Chris Miller Invitational Bass Fishing Tournament held annually at Kentucky Lake, a place he cherished. Steve was also a musician and played bass guitar for several bands, most notably The Paducah Dukes. He enjoyed playing music up until his last months. Another of his greatest joys was spending time with good friends making each other laugh heartily.

His experiences were vast and his interests wide but above all, he was a wonderful Father, Brother, Papaw, Uncle, and Friend.

He is survived by his son Tim Reid (Fiona), granddaughter Macy Reid (Josh Arnwine), grandson Jake Reid and great-grandson Atlas Reid, sister Sandra McKirchy Marshall (Charlie), nieces Michelle McKirchy Martin (Darrell), Ginger McKirchy Keach, and Chandler Headdy, a very special cousin Lindsay Reid (Niecy) and their children Adair Laney (Cal) and Mark Reid (Becky), brother-in-law Don Cates (Jane) and their children Bryce Cates and Jackson Cates (Kristie). He will also be mourned by several other cousins, nieces and nephews and an expansive group of close friends and associates.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents Edwin and Margaret Reid, uncle Edward Reid (Tootsie), brother-in-law Richard W. McKirchy and cousin Joyce Ann Reid.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that those wishing to express their condolences, please consider donating in his remembrance to Tunnels to Towers www.t2t.org or to the charity of your choice supporting veterans or first responders. He was a patriot and held those individuals in his highest esteem.

A celebration of life event will take place at a later date.