Michael (Mickey) Allan Reed -Byron

One-of-a-kind. Mickey will be remembered for his engaging personality, the sparkle in his eyes, his handlebar mustache, his Santa Clause beard and his "up to something" contagious grin. He could strike up a conversation with a stranger on the street and he always knew how to have fun. He loved to wear Hawaiian shirts and true shorts "not-longs" as he jokingly called them.  He had the best hugs, the worst dad jokes and never missed an opportunity to have fun.

Mickey was born to Kenneth Charles Reed and Lois Nigon Reed Holland on March 21,1956 in Wheat Ridge, Colorado.  They moved to Rochester where he attended St. Pius Grade school and graduated from Lourdes High School in 1974. Mickey was an incredible athlete and excelled in football, basketball and track & field. He was class president and a member of the National Honor Society. He later was honored as a member of the Lourdes Hall of Fame in 2018.

Mickey received a football scholarship at Mankato State and later transferred to South Dakota State University where he played linebacker.  In his senior year, he was unanimously voted team captain.

He met his wife, Jan Bride at SDSU. Unknowingly a pinch and a slug at Horts introduced them to each other. This lead to friendship, dating and later marriage in 1979.  They moved to Minnesota and settled in Byron where they resided for 44 years. He was a devoted father to his two children, always attending their activities, coaching teams, was a founder of the Byron Booster Club and implementing all-comers track meets. He enjoyed watching his grandson, Donovan, who is following in his footsteps in both football and track and field.  Mickey loved spending time with his granddaughter, Ava.

Mickey was hired as a firefighter in Rochester in 1983.  Mickey loved driving ladder truck 42 and received the safe driver award.  He enjoyed the camaraderie of his fellow firefighters and retired in 2011 after 28 years on the force.

Mickey drove school bus for the Byron School District, first as an activity driver and later a route driver for 11 years.  He took pride in driving bus for his students and was known as the "beloved bus driver". He saved the life of one of his riders and was chosen as the Bus Driver of the Year.

Every October, Mickey would travel to South Dakota for a pheasant hunt with friends and family and bring his hunting dog. He always got his limit. They stayed at the farmhouse "Huron Hilton" and later graduated to the "Ritz Cavour" farmhouse where he enjoyed many fond and happy times. In the spring he also loved bagging a turkey.

Mickey was an avid golfer and enjoyed annual trips to Kansas with a few of his firefighter buddies.  He loved entering local tournaments and often won the longest ball contest. A golfing highlight was a trip to Scotland with his son, Jesse.

Mickey had a passion for nature and created baskets of flowers to beautify their home.  He enjoyed the monarch butterflies who would show up at the butterfly garden he planted.  His bird feeders were always overflowing and attracting a variety of Minnesota birds.

Mickey enjoyed a great beer and loved attending breweries to enjoy a drink with a friend.   He was thrilled when friends would bring him Yuengling from the east coast.

Mickey could and would do anything he set his mind to do.  He built two houses for his family with little building experience. With his abilities to fix almost anything he would help family and friends when they had a need. He taught himself to sew a robe for his sister-in-law's Christmas gift and he enjoyed cooking and baking.

Mickey is survived by his wife Jan, children, Jesse Reed (Luisa), Kelli Reed, grandchildren Donovan Reed, Ava Reed, and baby Scarlet (arriving soon), his mother, Lois Holland, brothers KC Reed (special friend Joy Duellman), Rich Holland (Sue), and sister, Maggie Hallock, father-in-law, Joe Bride, sister-in-law's, Joan Jensen (Dave), Julie Foley (Brad), brothers-in-law Jay Bride (Julie Ellis), Jeff Bride, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins from the Nigon, Reed, and Bride clans.  He was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Reed, stepfather, Joe Holland, mother-in law, Jeanne Bride, and sister-in-law, Cindy Reed.

Mickey Reed died on Monday, October 16, 2023, at the age of 67. The manner of his death does not change the events of his wonderful life, his friendships, and his absolute love of his family.

Friends and Family may call on Friday October 27, 2023, between 4-7 PM in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home, 1105 12th St SE, Rochester, MN 55904.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, October 28th, 2023, at 11 AM with visitation starting at 10 AM at St. Pius X Church, 1315 12th Avenue NW, Rochester, MN, 55901.

In lieu of flowers you may donate to any of the following memorials: 1) Checks made to: Bring Back the Clock Tower, Memo line:  Mickey Reed. (Checks sent to Rochester Fire Department, 201 4 ST SE-Room 10, Rochester, MN, 55904.  Website: rochclocktower.org 2) Pheasants Forever, PO Box 6225, Rochester, MN, 55903, pheasantsforever.org has a donation site.

3) NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Donate online to namisemn.app.neoncrm.com .

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com .