Lawrence Gibson Reid ’38, of Winston-Salem, N.C., died Dec. 12 at Arbor Acres. Lawrence was born in Winston-Salem to William Lewis Reid and Rillie Garrison Reid on Oct. 14, 1917.
He received a B.A. from Davidson, where he was very active in basketball and as manager of the student store. He went to work for Washington Mills, working in Fries, Va., and New York City.
In 1941 he was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Naval Reserve. He served throughout World War II as a gunnery officer on destroyers, attaining a rank of commander. He served first on the USS Trippe in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean campaigns. He received a citation from the secretary of the Navy for outstanding service in the Mediterranean and a citation from the commander of the Atlantic Fleet. In 1944 and 1945 he served on the USS Sutherland in the Pacific. The Sutherland was the first Allied ship into Tokyo harbor after the surrender of Japan.
He has written a book, Tales of a Tin Can Sailor, about his experience in World War II.
Lawrence returned to Winston-Salem to work for Washington Mills becoming vice president and secretary of the company. He was vice president and president of the YMCA and president of the Red Cross Board where he was instrumental in bringing the blood services program to this chapter.
He was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and served on the vestry many times. He had been a Rotary member for over 50 years. He also served on the boards of Senior Services and the Chamber of Commerce.
In 1973, he resigned from Washington Mills, and, with P. Frank Hanes, Richmond Roberts, and Richard Hampton, started a new company, Carolon. Through his leadership, the company developed many unique and patented health care textile products sold throughout the world. The company is located in Rural Hall, N.C.
He is survived by his wife, Eleanor Balfour Angas Reid, 1250 Arbor Rd., Winston-Salem, NC 27104. Also surviving are three children, Virginia B. Dossinger (James), Lawrence G. Reid, Jr. (Theresa), and A. William Reid (Jane); nine grandchildren, Laura B. Slawter (Michael), J. Reid Dossinger, Mary C. Dossinger, David L. Reid, Ellen G. Reid, A. Alexander Reid, John A. Reid, Andrew W. Reid, and Virginia E. Reid; two great-grandchildren, James L. Slawter and William R. Slawter. a brother, William L. Reid; two nieces, Betsy Reid Creedon (Gaylord) and Margaret Reid Ogden (Dayton); and several great and great-great nieces and nephews.