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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 12
BY REPRESENTATIVE SHADOIN AND SENATOR GALLOT
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To express the condolences of the Louisiana House of Representatives and the Louisiana
Senate upon the death of Mike Reed of Ruston, Louisiana.
WHEREAS, it is with deep regret and profound sorrow that the Louisiana House of
Representatives and the Louisiana Senate have learned of the death of Mike Reed of Ruston,
Louisiana, at the age of eighty-eight on February 6, 2014; and
WHEREAS, Mike Reed was born in Centreville, Mississippi, on June 15, 1925, and
was named after his father, Courtney Reed, Sr., but was known as Mike; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Reed attended public schools in Lincoln Parish and rose to the rank
of Eagle Scout in his Ruston troop; he was a member of the 1941 Ruston High School state
championship football team; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Reed first enrolled at Louisiana Tech University in 1942, but during
World War II he became an Army Air Corps B-25 pilot; and
WHEREAS, after he returned from the war, Mr. Reed was a standout football player
for Louisiana Tech; he was the first player in school history to be named Little All American
twice, in 1946 and 1947; and
WHEREAS, in 1947, Mr. Reed was recognized as a "Who's Who at Louisiana Tech"
and the friendships and close bonds made during his Louisiana Tech football career endured
to the present, and his group of friends became known as the National Association for the
Advancement of Grandstand Quarterbacks; and ENROLLEDHCR NO. 12
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WHEREAS, Louisiana Tech named Mr. Reed as a member of the school's Sports
Hall of Fame, and more recently he was named a member of "Tech's Team of the Century";
and
WHEREAS, upon graduating from Louisiana Tech, Mr. Reed declined the
opportunity to play for the Chicago Bears and instead chose to continue working with his
father in the family's sawmill business, a company started by Mike's grandfather, William
Nathan Reed of Magnolia, Arkansas; and
WHEREAS, at the Army Air Corps pilot school in Lansing, Michigan, Mike met
Suzanne Anderson at a dance for pilots given by her sorority; that dance was their first of
many as they were married and remained in holy matrimony for sixty-five years; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Reed was preceded in death by his loving and devoted wife,
affectionately known as "Sue"; his parents, Courtney, Sr., and Christine Reed; two sisters,
Martha R. Wojecki and Vicky R. Mabry; and one brother-in-law and Louisiana Tech
teammate, Chester Wojecki; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Reed is survived by two sons, Courtney III, and Russell and wife
JoAnn; two daughters, Jennifer Terzia and husband Buddy, and Marcia Coley and husband
David; six grandchildren, Amanda R. Archuleta, Katie Reed, Greg Terzia and wife Audrey,
Laura T. Bankston and husband Matt, and Zachary and Alex Corey; and eight great-
grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, the death of Mike Reed has left a great void and created a genuine sense
of sorrow in all who knew him, including his family, his friends, and the Louisiana Tech
community, all of whom mourn the loss of this wonderful man who served his state and
nation so well; and
WHEREAS, Mike Reed was a beloved member of the "Greatest Generation" who
leaves behind a rich and unique legacy of hard work and dedication and is greatly missed by
all whose lives he touched.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the death of Mike Reed of Ruston; does
hereby recognize and record for posterity his notable accomplishments and singular
contributions; does hereby extend enduring appreciation for the pride and honor that he will
forever bring to his family and friends, the city of Ruston, the state of Louisiana, and the ENROLLEDHCR NO. 12
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United States of America; and does hereby express the deep regret of the entire state upon
the loss of this extraordinary gentleman.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to the family of Mike Reed.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE