It was the late Jessie Watson who taught his grandson Kim Reed the carpenter trade. Where that has taken Reed has also impacted many lives today. Reed is one of the six 2011 Distinguished Alumni from Friendswood ISD.
            Reed is an outstanding carpenter and construction worker. What makes him stand out is the many areas of volunteer work that is done through these trades.
            He has spent 13 years constructing homes for Habitat for Humanity and has worked seven years at various times in a very poor area of Mexico, building homes for those who need them. He has designed and built a dormitory for workers to use as church work groups travel to Mexico to construct homes.
            He and other volunteers are ready to assist when natural disasters occur such as Hurricane Katrina when Reed and his group were some of the first to arrive to rebuild.
            Reed has been to Haiti several times and has worked with CORE constructing 500 temporary houses at the old Academy building at FM 518 and I-45. He also went with a crew to Haiti to teach the people there how to erect the houses after they arrived.
            Currently, he is developing 10 acres on Hwy 288 south of Highway 6 for a home for orphans and homeless youth. When completed, the facility will be operated and supervised by Boy’s Harbor.
            Reed’s favorite quote is "It is a lot more fun to work for others than for myself." He proves this everyday when he is busy working for others as a fulltime volunteer.
            Reed has two sons, a daughter and two grandchildren.
            He is the son of Norby Reed of the FHS class of 1946.
            The other Distinguished Alumni include Tanna Bennett (Class of 1980), Lisa Camp (Class of 1979), Chris Henchy (Class of 1982), Carol Cline Vaughn (Class of 1945) and Honorary Alumna Joycina Baker.
            The six will be honored at the 2011 Distinguished Alumni Reception Feb. 11 at FHS at 7 pm. They will also be  recognized at the Havana Blues gala Feb. 12 at Hotel ZaZa in Houston.