Larry Reid is now a Hall of Famer

ASHEBORO — The late Larry Reid, beloved Asheboro radio personality for several decades, has been posthumously inducted into the Randolph Senior Adults Association Hall of Fame.

The ceremony took place on Aug. 11 at the Asheboro Senior Adults Center. Speaking on Reid’s behalf were Eddie Burks, John Davis, Steve Williams and Steve Morgan. 

Mark Hensley, director of the Senior Adults Association, led the program, which ended with comments by Reid’s wife, Jo.

Jo Reid said, “I’ve tried to imagine if Larry was here what he would say. He would say, ‘Surely someone else was probably more deserving. I’m just doing my job.’

“On behalf of myself and our family, thank you for this recognition. Thank you all for coming and for loving Larry.”

Hensley listed ways in which Reid had supported the Senior Adults Association, including regular on-the-air sessions during his Tuesday Coffee Break. Reid also emceed the Ms. Senior Randolph County pageants from 2007-2019. Hensley said contestants commented on how Reid’s presence would put them at ease during what could be a stressful competition.

“Larry was the consummate professional,” Hensley said. “Larry was great at his job. There will only be one Larry Reid — just sayin’.”

Burks said he probably knew Reid longer than anyone except for his family. They met as freshmen at Western Carolina University, took the same classes, had the same friends and visited the same places.

“Larry was one of the finest men any of us have known,” Burks said. “Larry was my friend — is my friend. We both loved the City of Asheboro and sought ways to make it better.

“He had a remarkable gift for making everyone feel special.”

Davis said he became friends with Reid when both were with the WCU marching band. “He was one of the friendliest guys in the band. You could always count on him. Larry lived by the Golden Rule and made you feel important.”

Williams said, “I consider myself one of the most blessed people on the face of the earth because I was one of Larry’s inner circle of friends. Larry Reid made you feel like a million dollars. He didn’t care about social status or cultural status. He didn't judge you.”

Morgan said he became friends with Reid 40 years ago when both were in radio. “I miss my buddy every day. I can’t thank Larry Reid enough for his loving friendship.”

Morgan then encouraged everyone in the audience to help someone else every day, “if you want to be like Larry, to love like Larry.”

A plaque with Reid’s photo is now on the Hall of Fame Wall inside the Asheboro Senior Adults Center.