Posted on: Mar 26, 2025 at 4:33 AM

I'm thinking of my dear frend as I still often do.  Known to some as "Diamond Jim Reid, Sofie Tucker's baby boy, and the Kang of professional wrestling!," Jimmy was the most unselfish person I've ever known.  I laughed more during the years 6 or so years we were roomies in Knoxville and later after he moved back to Athens, that at any time in my life.  He, along with Doc, Frances, Libby, Mary, and Karen were/are family.

I haven't shared this before, but Jimmy was the first friend I came out to that didn't result in a friendship lost.  We were still roommates in Knoxville at the time and the 1980's was a rough stretch of time living as a gay man.  I remember that Sunday afternoon watching football at our apartment as if it was today.  We both had knocked down a couple of brews and the words came out of my mouth in a spontaneous moment.  His response was immediate, "So what fag, now go get me another beer."  I considered him my best friend then and now.  Whenever I feel down in the dumps, I'll sometimes recall a snippit of time shared with Jimmy Reid and start to giggle.  

Posted on: Sep 09, 2024 at 7:53 PM

Hey Vickie, would it be ok if I invited Laurel Streetman to the reunion. You probably know she’s Andy’s widow. She’s also a cousin of mine. Thanks, Bucky