Ronnie Reid: Lived a simple, happy life

Fannin County Sports Hall Of Fame Class of 2024

  • Ronnie Reid was awarded many citations and awards for his 38 years as clock operator. Accepting an award from Fannin County High Coach Johnny Farmer is Ronnie Reid.
    Ronnie Reid was awarded many citations and awards for his 38 years as clock operator. Accepting an award from Fannin County High Coach Johnny Farmer is Ronnie Reid.
  • Ronnie Reid is shown in a yearbook photo his freshman year of high school at West Fannin High.
    Ronnie Reid is shown in a yearbook photo his freshman year of high school at West Fannin High.
  • Ronnie Reid became the manager of the Yellow Jackets football and basketball teams in the fall of 1961, until his graduation in the spring of 1965.
    Ronnie Reid became the manager of the Yellow Jackets football and basketball teams in the fall of 1961, until his graduation in the spring of 1965.
  • Voted most popular boy and girl for West Fannins 1965 Graduating class are left, Mary Nell Potts and Ronnie Reid.
    Voted most popular boy and girl for West Fannins 1965 Graduating class are left, Mary Nell Potts and Ronnie Reid.
  • Ronnie Reid in his senior photo.
    Ronnie Reid in his senior photo.
  • Ronnie Terry Reid’s obituary picture. He was born February 23, 1945 and passed September 8, 2021.
    Ronnie Terry Reid’s obituary picture. He was born February 23, 1945 and passed September 8, 2021.

    By Mike Harper

    "He lived a simple, happy life”. These are words that have been used to describe the life of 2024 Fannin County Sports Hall of Fame inductee, Ronnie Reid.

    Ronnie was born in Epworth February 23, 1945, and received his early education at Epworth Elementary School. He was a quiet youngster, keeping to himself. He did not distinguish himself either as a student or as an athlete.

    Ronnie entered West Fannin High School as a freshman in the autumn of 1960. He struggled academically and did not progress to his sophomore year at the end of the year. He was classified as a freshman again for the 1961-62 school year. An event occurred during the winter of 1960-61, however, that would change the young life of Ronnie Reid for the better.

    While details are a bit murky, it is apparent that Ronnie had gained the attention of Raymond Montgomery and Tom Foster, two coaches of the West Fannin athletic teams. The football and basketball teams of 1960-61 were served by three student managers, all seniors. Charles Dills, a freshman, served his apprenticeship as manager of the junior varsity football team and would move up to the same role with the varsity for the 1961-62 season. So obviously the athletic program needed another manager to help replace the graduating seniors.

    It is known that Coach Montgomery felt that Ronnie Reid might be the answer for the need for another manager for the next season and beyond. Montgomery wanted to talk with Ronnie about the possible assignment and requested a 7:00 am meeting at the field house on a cold winter morning. Montgomery was a no-nonsense old school coach who felt that one should arrive early for meetings so, he must have been shocked to arrive at the school at 6:45 only to find Ronnie sitting on the cold ground awaiting Montgomery’s arrival. The rest is history and Ronnie Reid became the manager of the Yellow Jackets football and basketball teams until his graduation in the spring of 1965. In the words of Coach Tom Foster “with Ronnie around, the coaches handled the coaching, Ronnie handled everything else”.

    After his high school years, Ronnie Reid worked in the tool department at the Tennessee Copper Company until the company closed its doors in the late 1980s. Many different types of tools are required in a mining operation and Ronnie was known for his fastidious, efficient role in safeguarding company assets. If a worker checked out a tool, Ronnie was always johnny on the spot to ensure that the worker return the tool in a timely manner. After the demise of the Tennessee Copper Company, Ronnie worked in the stock room of Rose’s Department in Blue Ridge for the remainder of his working life.

    Ronnie Reid’s second period of service to athletics in Fannin County came in his role as clock operator for high school basketball and football teams. He fulfilled this assignment with the same conscientious attitude and work ethic as he had displayed during his days as manager of the West Fannin athletic teams in the early to mid-1960s. He was awarded many citations and awards for his 38 years as clock operator, during which he missed only one game. In a game at Fannin County in late 2006, he was publicly honored for over 40 years of service to Fannin County sports teams. Present at the ceremony were his two old West Fannin coaches, Raymond Montgomery and Tom Foster, Georgia Department of Education Service Coordinator Steven Pruitt and Fannin County High School Athletic Director Eddie Payne.

    Much of Ronnie’s free time was devoted to watching, in person or on television, his beloved Fannin County teams, the Atlanta Braves and the Georgia Bulldogs. He also spent countless hours fishing the streams and lakes of North Georgia.

    Tom Foster, a charter member of the board of the Fannin County Sports Hall of Fame, long championed the case for the induction of Ronnie Reid as a Hall of Fame member. The honor is long overdue. Timing is everything in life, and it is unfortunate that the recognition of Ronnie as a contributor to sports in the county should come after the passing of Ronnie and coaches Foster and Montgomery. Hopefully, they are looking on with pride as this honor is finally bestowed.