Celebrating 100 Years: Myles Lee Reed Sr.’s Legacy on Chicago’s South Side
A Man of Many Hats: Veteran, Athlete, Executive, and Family Man
A Black man who has lived through 17 presidential administrations, six major wars, the civil rights movement, and the most significant historical events of the 20th century turned 100 years old on the South Side of Chicago over the weekend.
Family, friends, and neighbors gathered at a senior residence facility community room to celebrate Myles Lee Reed Sr., a Lorman, Mississippi native, U.S. Army veteran, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. member, and University of Nebraska alum.
When Mr. Reed was asked what it felt like to celebrate this birthday milestone, he admitted that it was hard to put into words.
“It’s good to be here,” he finally said, smiling behind his wraparound orange-tinted shades as he observed everyone in the room who gathered to celebrate him. “I’m glad to see so many people who took the time in this weather to come out and wish me a happy 100th birthday.”
Myles Lee Reed Sr. with his family members at his 100th birthday party (Photo Credit: Tacuma R. Roeback).
Mr. Reed has and continues to lead a remarkable yet uncommon life in his century of existence. Terms like “Renaissance man” or “polymath” get overused. Still, not many people have excelled in multiple domains of life quite like Mr. Reed, who served his country, excelled in academics and athletics and achieved in business.
After relocating to Chicago in the 1950s, Mr. Reed became a semi-professional baseball player with the Dukes of the Washington Park Baseball League, where he played until he was 41.
Myles Lee Reed Sr. with his sons (Photo Credit: Tacuma R. Roeback).
A Father’s Impact: Lessons in Reading, Integrity, and Imagination
His son Darryl, who helped organize the birthday celebration, said his dad modeled integrity but also cultivated in him a love of reading and baseball.
“I remember asking him, ‘Daddy, teach me to read,’ because we’d be driving, and sometimes I looked at the signs and wanted to know what they said,” Darryl recalled, “So, he actually helped me to learn how to read.”
Darryl, an actor living in Los Angeles, said it’s a skill that continues to serve him well.
“I have to say that my reading ability has helped me get through a lot of auditions, a lot of cold readings and such,” he said. “And it was because my imagination was spurred at an early age through him.”
During the party, Linda Mason presented Mr. Reed with a proclamation from the office of 5th Ward Ald. Desmon C. Yancy.
A Milestone Few Achieve: The Honor of Turning 100
For a man who has accomplished so much and epitomizes longevity, it was only natural to ask this: “What’s your secret?”
“I wish I could collect it,” Mr. Reed said.
“But it’s just a compilation of things: take it a day at a time, no strict formula, and just a matter of trying to treat everybody right and expect people to treat you right in return.”
Myles Lee Reed Sr. blows out his candles (Photo Credit: Tacuma R. Roeback).
Tacuma R. Roeback, Managing Editor
Tacuma R. Roeback is the Managing Editor for the Chicago Defender.
His journalism, non-fiction, and fiction have appeared in the Smithsonian Magazine, San Francisco Chronicle, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Tennessean, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Phoenix New Times, HipHopDX.com, Okayplayer.com, The Shadow League, SAGE: The Encyclopedia of Identity, Downstate Story, Tidal Basin Review, and Reverie: Midwest African American Literature.
He is an alumnus of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, Chicago State University, and Florida A&M University.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Myles Lee Reed Sr. celebrate his 100th birthday?
Family, friends, and neighbors gathered at a senior residence facility community room to celebrate Myles Lee Reed Sr., a Lorman, Mississippi native, U.S. Army veteran, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. member, and University of Nebraska alum.
What milestone did Myles Lee Reed Sr. achieve at his birthday party?
Myles Lee Reed Sr. blew out a cake with three candles that formed the numerals “100” to mark the occasion.
How did Myles Lee Reed Sr. model his integrity and legacy to his children?
Mr. Reed modeled his integrity by instilling in his children the value of hard work, honesty, and treating others with respect, and he sparked their imagination and love of learning through his patience and guidance.
What is the significance of reaching the age of 100?
The age of 100 is a rare and special milestone, reached by only about 0.027% of people born in the United States, according to research from the Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine at Boston University.
What is the secret to Mr. Reed’s longevity?
According to Mr. Reed, the secret to his longevity is his ability to adapt to changing circumstances, his passion for life, and his willingness to treat everyone with respect.
How did Darryl, Mr. Reed’s son, describe his relationship with his father?
Darryl described his father as a pillar of integrity who taught him important life lessons about reading, honesty, and how to treat others with respect.
What is Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.?
