I just learned of Reed’s passing tonite (10/11/21) and the news saddens me, and weighs heavily on my heart. Ironically, I had been thinking of him quite a lot lately, as I was trying to remember how we met and when. I believe it was in Mrs Ford’s English class, a rally to recover Big Red, or at one of the party’s Lamar was famous for.

Reed and I were kindred in that our pasts were somewhat turbulent, respectfully, but we enjoyed the same Monty Python films, music, baseball, fishing, and a hot breakfast on the way to the Beach. We double-dated for the Senior Prom, and after I left the area to attend LSU, Reed took me up on my invitation to make the drive over to Baton Rouge to experience life on the Bayou…during one particular summer, we met some of my friends in Lake Charles to water ski. The man was absolutely transfixed by Texas lore and he loved all things Texas, particularly the Gulf Coast.

By God, we did a ton of stuff together, and he was well-liked by my brother, Mark, my step-sis and step-mom and my deceased father, Gus Miller. It seemed as if everyone I introduced  to Reed was drawn to his kindness, charm, and intelligence. I feel honored to have met his parents who were very kind to me; Reed introduced me to multiple friends at Lamar, and he introduced me to multiple concepts and thought processes that helped mold my confidence which remain with me to this day.

Reed could not get enough of that little red MG Midget and let me drive it multiple times around the neighborhood. We attended multiple movies and saw a lot of live music together. He had the gift of gab and could spin a yarn like few could…and had that big, bold laugh…

There was always something fun in store when Hildreth was around. The yellow GTO was in the spotlight, too; we climbed inside after the prom and drove to the beach; after multiple donuts were spun in the sand, the front axle snapped like a dried twig; Hildreth and I hitched a ride with another classmate all the way back to Houston; we only hiked a mile or 2 on the main highway before getting a lift; that good fortune was another piece of influence from Reed’s good fortune.

I know for a fact he had his fair share of Demons and this fact was what drew me to him..difficult to explain…he felt deeply, loved deeply  and did what he could for anyone, at all times. His advice was sage, and though we disagreed about certain ideas/situations/topics, we had friendship, poetry, story-telling, Jethro Tull, food, humor, and mutual respect as our common dominator.

Reed, I’m so sorry you are gone, and I wish that storm had not blown in before the 2015 reunion; I’m certain you would have been there to see everyone, but you were called in to repair electrical damage on a building project. It’s a tribute to your commitment.

I regret not having some of your signature smoked Turkey, but we did break bread and have eggs and coffee together at the Mexican Restaurant off of Ella Blvd that summer. I will cherish that memory as the last of a long line of great human moments!

RIP, brother

Love forever,

Keith 

Portland.