Alvin (AI ) Andell Reid's Obituary
Alvin (Al) Andell Reid was a Christmas baby who was born on December 25, 1936, in Tweedside , Clarendon, Jamaica as the first-born son of his parents Authur Augustus Reid and Ruth Marie (Deeble) Reid. Al’s grandmother helped raise him from a young child because she wanted the first boy grandchild. He would run from house to house to avoid discipline from either of them. Growing up in Jamaica, he attended Tweedside school, grew up in the church, and was well acquainted with the bible. According to his sister, Al was a “ladies man”. Al used to say, “In Jamaica, we didn’t need TV, because we had the beach!” After completing high school, Al relocated to Kingston, Jamaica where he trained for his trade as a journeymen auto technician.
Al migrated to the Dallas, Texas area in the mid-1970’s and pursued his trade at several dealerships. Al developed a passion for high performance, luxury vehicles, and worked as a master Jaguar technician for many years. Al was always there for those in need of advice and guidance. He earned the respect and admiration of his peers who referred to him as the “godfather” because of his depth of knowledge and expertise. Al was an auto advisor and resource to friends and family, and if he could not repair your car himself, he knew someone else that could. Because of his connection to the automobile industry community, he could assist with locating a “good deal” on a car. Shirley’s personal physician was one of Al’s Jaguar clients and referred others to Al’s services as well. Al and Shirley Ann Reid were married on January 25, 1986. Al was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church located in downtown Dallas and attended with his wife for many years.
After many years as a master auto technician, Al retired but managed to stay close to the automobile industry with part-time work as an auto parts courier for major auto retailers. Al enjoyed entertaining friends and family in his home, playing dominoes, cook-outs on his barbecue grill, but most of all preparing his specialty meals consisting of curry goat, pigeon peas and rice, yams, dumplings, callilou and many other delicious Caribbean authentic dishes. Friends would come from miles around to enjoy his feasts. Despite his stature, Al was affectionately known as “Tall-Boy” by his mother-in-law (and he liked it!) and answered to Pa and PaPa by his grandsons and their friends. Al was a lover of sports, but was a “fickle fan”, and would stop following a team if they were losing. Al transitioned on March 10, 2025, after a series of health-related issues.
Al leaves to cherish his memory, his devoted wife of 39 years, Shirley. His two sons: Paul Reid of Austin, TX; Horace “Howie” Reid of Pembroke Pines, FL His four daughters: Ann-Marie “Dainty” Reid of Naugatuck, CT; Sharon Tomlinson of Austin, TX; Arlene “Charmin” DeSouza (Robert) Saint Albans, NY; and Antoinette “Betty” Reid of Garland, TX and bonus daughter, Lecia Medlock (Clifford) of Plano, TX. His Grandchildren: Julian Tomlinson-
James, London, UK; Brian Hammond of Shelton, CT, Kari-Ann Hammond-Domas of Naugatuck, CT, Stefon Reid, Pembroke Pines, FL, Matthew Reid, Cherry Hill, NJ, Robert DeSouza and Darren DeSouza of Springfield, NJ, Andrew Reid of Garland, TX, Jordan Medlock of Princeton, TX and Kennedy Medlock of Plano, TX. His siblings: Adassa (Dian) Reid of England, Louise (Caleta) Johnson (BJ)of Garveymeade, Jamaica, Windell Reid (Paulette) of Discovery Bay, Jamaica, Tama “Prim” McCarthy (Joe) of Priory, Jamaica and Winsome Murphy (Clive) of Miramar, FL; sister-in-law, Clytie M. Stephenson; and a host of other relatives and friends. Preceding him in death were both his parents, his son, Michael Reid and brother Trevor Reid.
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