By Hayden Garrett
“Make a difference today for someone who is fighting for their tomorrow.”
This is the saying that Delta Middle School physical education teacher Mr. David Reade lived by while he himself was fighting for his tomorrow.
“Even after his stage 4 cancer diagnosis, he remained positive and encouraging,” said Mr. Reade’s wife, Kim. “As challenging as it was, he never gave up. David chose faith over fear.”
Mr. Reade started teaching and coaching at Delta in 1990. His 35-year career ended on Oct. 21st, after a hard fought three-year battle with squamous cell carcinoma, a common type of skin cancer that forms in the top layer of skin, that then later spread to other organs of his body.
Out of strength, he peacefully reached his heavenly home.
Reade taught at the high school as a special education teacher and middle school as a physical education teacher for a combined 35 years. He also coached basketball for more than 20 years.
Although his time and dedication was impressive, the real legacy that Mr. Reade left wasn’t the years he taught but instead the impact of affection, joy, love and positive outlook that he carried with him every day.
“I think the biggest lesson that I learned from Mr. Reade was to always pursue my dreams and to never give up,” sophomore Kyra Murry said. “And even if it looks like I don’t have a chance just to keep on fighting or have a fighting spirit.”
Kyra’s relationship with Reade was like many others. She looked forward to his class not just for the gym activities but also Reade’s presence and uplifting spirits.
Kyra’s favorite memory of Reade was a recurring one.
“I would always go in there, and he’d always say, ‘Good morning, Ky.’ And then he’d start singing to Lola ’cause I’d always walk in with Lola,” Kyra said.
Mr. Reade’s class was sophomore Lola Martin’s favorite part of her schedule. Every day Lola would walk into his class and Reade would sing the opening line of the song “Copacabana” by Barry Manilow.
“Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl. With yellow feathers in her hair. And a dress cut down to there,” Mr. Reade would sing.
Throughout her middle school years Lola had hit a rough patch; however, she always knew who to go to when she needed a smile.
“He made my day so much better. He was great; he was just a bright light,” Lola said.
Students weren’t the only ones impacted by Mr. Reade’s way of life.
“That positive attitude of always happy, always smiling, I was always blessed with by being around him,” middle school phys ed teacher Mr. Paul Ashcraft said.
Mr. Ashcraft’s favorite thing about Reade was his humor. Mr. Ashcraft said he remembers pulling small pranks on other faculty with Mr. Reade as an accomplice.
During the time of Covid, Reade and Ashcraft spent a lot more time together than usual with fewer distractions. One day, Mr. Ashcraft pointed out a pair of gym shoes that had been left behind.
“‘Hey Reade, call Mr. Mike and tell him we have some water running in the gym,’” Ashcraft said
So, Mr. Reade called down Delta Middle School’s head custodian, Mike Huston. When Mr. Mike got there, Reade and Ashcraft had set two water bottles in the tennis shoes.
“Mr. Mike came down with everything ready to go and we were all laughing.” Mr. Ashcraft said.
While Mr. Reade’s positivity and kindness was an undeniable part of who he was, the attribute that stood out the most for Delta Middle School principal Mr. Doug Marshall was Reade’s work ethic.
“How he did his job never changed.” Mr. Marshall said. “He wanted to be here every day and there were days we were like how is he here, why is he here?”
Mr.Marshall always noticed the 100% that Reade gave but also noticed the extra mile Reade always put in. Marshall thought Mr. Reade taught much more than just the state standards but also taught the kids what being contagiously kind really looks like. He also taught compassion and empathy.
Another person who can attest for Mr. Reade’s outstanding lifestyle and attitude is his wife of 40 years. Kim Reade.
They met in 1988 after Reade graduated from Purdue and accepted a teaching and coaching position in southern Virginia. He moved to Kim’s hometown where she worked as a radio talent and a photojournalist for the local newspaper.
They were introduced to each other at a high school basketball game where Kim asked to interview him. After the interview Reade asked if he could make dinner for her some time which she accepted.
Twelve weeks after their first date Reade asked her to marry him. Reade began teaching at Delta in 1990 and they had their wedding in Virginia in March 1991. They spent their honeymoon in Hawaii.
They moved into Albany where Kim began working at WLBC radio station and Reade returned to his teaching career at Delta.
Although Kim continues to mourn the loss of her husband she knows how to carry on his legacy and honor him
“Live with strength, grace and passion. Maintain hope, refuse to give up, smile, laugh and most importantly, show everyone love, kindness and encouragement,” Kim said. “When we do that, David lives on – – within us and through us. We are his magnificent, everlasting legacy.”
