When you get to the major reminiscing time in your life, hopefully you’ll remember those who gave you a boost along that long, tough road.
And, in your aging years, when you have more time to think, you tend to fondly reminisce about those good experiences. All too often, it’s after those boosters have departed this world. But, I believe we can send thoughts to them and they’ll get ‘em.
My good friend Steve Owen recently sent me a book about a man who gave me more than a gentle nudge down life’s highway – Don Reid, Jr. The book – “Dad, Man of Mystery” – was splendidly written by Don’s daughter, Donna Reid Vann. I highly recommend the book even if you didn’t know Don. He was truly an interesting character.
I first became acquainted with him when I attended then-Sam Houston State Teachers College in Huntsville, where he was the editor of The Huntsville Item.
Over the years he quietly gave me wise advice and guidance down my career path. And, young whippersnapper me didn’t thank him enough nor give him the credit he was due.
For years, Don covered every execution at the state prison in Huntsville. He did so not just for The Item, but for the Associated Press as well. At that time, executions were carried out in the electric chair, nicknamed Old Sparky.
He wrote a book about his experiences witnessing the execution – “Have a Seat, Please” – which Don said is what the warden said to every prisoner who was led into the death chamber.
After attending Sam Houston for two years, I ran out of money and laid out of school for a year while I earned more for my education fund. I worked for my hometown newspaper, The Teague Chronicle.
I went back to Sam Houston the next summer and found my mentor, head of the SHSTC journalism department, had no jobs for me. I still needed to work to attend school. So, I sought Don for some guidance.
He told me there just weren’t enough jobs in Huntsville for students who were majoring in journalism. Don suggested that I look into attending the University of Houston, then a private school, and offered to take me there and introduce me to the director and assistant director of journalism.
Away we went to Houston where, true to his word, Don introduced me to Bruce Underwood, director, and Billy I. Ross, assistant director of the journalism and graphic arts department. They gave me a $1-per-hour job as the secretary-receptionist for the J-GA department.
I worked from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday through Friday for $1 an hour. Don apparently told the directors I was a needy student but vouched for my ability and potential. He also suggested any paid position on the student newspaper. So, I became the weekly Houston Cougar’s copy editor for $5 a week.
My class schedule included two courses on Monday and Wednesday evenings and two on Tuesday-Thursday nights, plus a three-hour Saturday morning class. I got through my junior year on that schedule.
My senior year was even more different. It was all night school but a full-time day job necessitated that.
So, I actually finished school in eight semesters (four regular school years) plus a 6-week summer semester.
Didn’t hurt me a dang bit. And, I didn’t have time to fritter money on some of those wild college parties you hear about. Well, not much anyway.
Don kept tabs on me regularly but quietly, and I became another finished project for that booster extraordinaire.
I don’t know how many educational guardian angels like Don exist, but I’m blessed to have had him quietly shepherding my experience in gaining a college degree.
Willis Webb was a retired community newspaper editor-publisher of more than 50 years experience. He passed away earlier this week. He was a great man who believed in standing up for those who could not speak out for themselves. He loved community newspapers and the roles they held in towns across the state of Texas.
RIP, Willis Webb.
