Services for Garrett Reid will be Tuesday
Funeral services for Garrett Reid will be held Tuesday.
Here is an obituary released by the Reid family:
Garrett William Reid was born in Provo, Utah April 13, 1983 and grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Harriton High School and Montgomery County Community College. Garrett was working as a strength & conditioning coach. He found his passion in helping others develop their physique. To further his career, Garrett had planned to begin studies in sports management in the fall. He was proud of his rank of Eagle Scout. He was the greatest big brother. He was definitely the funniest person to all who knew and loved him. Garrett will be long remembered for his sense of humor, his bold laughter and zest for life. Through his most difficult times his biggest strength was the love and support he received from his family and they from him. He will be truly missed. Garrett is survived by his parents Andrew and Tammy and siblings Britt (Kristen), Crosby, Drew, Spencer and the love of his life, Laura Perkins.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to: Laurel House P.O. 764, Norristown, PA 19404
Services for family and friends will be held on Tuesday, August 7, 2012 at 10:00 am, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 721 Paxon Hollow Road, Broomall, Pennsylvania
Arrangements by the Frank C. Videon Funeral Home, Broomall, PA
Here is the story of Garrett Reid's death:
BETHLEHEM -- Struggling to maintain his composure, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman announced that Garrett Reid, 29, oldest son of Eagles coach Andy Reid, was found dead in his bed at Lehigh this morning.
"I have some heartbreaking news to share with you all ... It's a tough morning for all of us in the Eagles' family," Roseman said. "Garrett grew up with this team, and this makes this news even harder for us to process. Our hearts go out to Andy, Tammy, Britt, Spencer, Crosby and Drew Ann," --- Garrett Reid's parents and siblings. "We ask sincerely that you respect the family's privacy during this time ... We've been with Andy for a long time. He's always been strong for us, and we're going to get strong for him right now."
Lehigh Chief of Police Edward Shupp said officers received a "911 call of an unresponsive male" at 7:20 am. They arrived at the Sayre Park dorm and tried to revive Reid, without success. "There were no suspicious activities," Shupp said, but Northhampton County coroner Zachary Lysek will investigate. Shupp also said suicide and foul play were ruled out.
The Eagles released a statement from former team president Joe Banner: "Words cannot express my sadness upon hearing the tragic news this morning. I've known Garrett since he was a teenager and saw him grow up amongst the Eagles family. It's hard to comprehend how heartbreaking it must feel to lose a child. My deepest condolences go out to Andy, Tammy and their entire family."
Roseman became extremely distraught after leaving the lectern and was comforted by Eagles head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder.
Garrett Reid had rebounded from a drug-troubled past and was assisting the Eagles' strength coaches at camp. He and his brother Britt were arrested on drug charges after two separate traffic incidents on January 30, 2007, and Garrett Reid was incarcerated off and on through 2009. Recently, when a reporter spoke with Andy Reid about his sons, he was obviously very relieved and proud to have both Garrett and Britt drug-free, he felt, and leading productive lives.
Eagles chairman Jeffrey Lurie was to speak to reporters Sunday, his annual state-of-the-team address. That event has been canceled, The team went through with its morning walkthrough, as per Andy Reid's wishes, Roseman said. The Eagles later announced that their 2:45 p.m. practice will take place as scheduled.
In interviews, Andy and Tammy Reid have said Garrett's drug problems began with OxyContin, when he was a student at Brigham Young in 2002, and continued with prescription drugs and heroin. Andy Reid took a six-week leave of absence to deal with his sons' problems in 2007, accompanying both to a Florida drug treatment program.
In a Philadelphia Magazine interview, Andy Reid said dealing with a child's addiction is "like fighting a grizzly bear."
Garrett Reid, 6-5, might have been the Reid child who most closely resembled his father. During his court appearances he seemed emaciated, but working with the Eagles' coaching staff this spring and summer, he looked strong and fit. In one minicamp drill a few months back, Garrett Reid stepped in to long snap.
Stay tuned for updates.