Tom Reid    
Mayor Emeritus of Pearland
RESOLUTION NO. R2020-6 

Born in Houston in 1925, Mayor Emeritus Tom Reid acquired his conservative philosophy growing up in the farming and ranching country of Central Texas. He moved with his family to Pearland in 1965 and both his son and daughter graduated from Pearland schools. Mayor Reid became active in Pearland and served as Scout Troop Committee Chairman, City Planning Commissioner, City Councilman, Chairman of the Pearland Library Board, Chairman of Brazoria Drainage District #4, and as Mayor. Mayor Reid retired in November 2020 and upon retirement was awarded the mayor emeritus position. He passed away peacefully in June 2023. 

His professional career included scientific writing, underwater defense research for the Navy Department, and as a Junior Design Engineer with WKM Valve Manufacturing Company. He was hired by Rockwell International and worked at Johnson Space Center from 1965 to 1997. He supervised and managed complex projects with sizeable staffs and tight budgets on Gemini, Apollo, Apollo-Soyuz, Skylab, and Space Shuttle Programs, and spent the last 10 years at JSC in the Space Shuttle Program Office.

Mayor Reid was a highly visible figure in community activities. He served as a Board Member of Pearland Arts League, PISD District Education Improvement Committee, and Adult Reading Center, and was a member of the Gideon Society, Chamber of Commerce, C. F. Spencer Lodge, and many other community organizations. He was an Eagle Scout, Ordained Elder in the First Presbyterian Church, a 32 Degree Mason and a Shriner.

He had a history of regional participation and represented Pearland as a Board Member and Past President of the Houston-Galveston Area Council and the Texas Association of Regional Councils, and served as Secretary of the H-GAC Transportation Policy Council. He also served on the Executive Board of Bay Area Transportation Partnership and was Vice President of the Economic Alliance of the Houston Port Region. He was also Chairman of the Pearland Development Authority, and the Pearland Area Citizens Corps.

Mayor Reid believed that regional partnerships on transportation, surface water, and air quality are essential to economic growth and quality of life for both Pearland and the Houston Gulf Coast area. He worked with local, regional, and state organizations and officials to make Pearland a quality city that will make us all proud to say we live in Pearland.

Mayor Reid’s most recent public appearance took place on March 21, 2023, at the United States Post Office on East Walnut where the post office was renamed in his honor to recognize his many years of service to Pearland.  At the end of May 2023, Mayor Reid was placed in hospice care, and passed away peacefully on June 24, 2023 surrounded by family and friends.  

Mayor Reid's unwavering dedication and service to the City of Pearland leave an indelible mark of gratitude. His remarkable legacy will forever serve as an inspiration, illuminating our path as we strive to construct a brighter future for our cherished community.