Milton R. Reid

April 5th, 1943 - June 24th, 2020

With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of Milton Reid, a beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend.

He was born on April 5, 1943, in Clarendon, Jamaica. Milton graduated from Clarendon College High School then earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Howard University in Mechanical Engineering. He subsequently worked for General Electric Company in Erie, PA; Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, MI; ALCOA in Jamaica; Occidental Chemicals in White Springs, FL and the City of Gainesville, FL where he retired as the General Services Director in 2013. Post retirement he co-founded Beep, a next generation autonomous mobility solutions company, where he served as Chairman of the Board of Advisors.

Milton served as the Chair of the Florida Association of Governmental Fleet Administrators (FLAGFA) and was honored with their establishment of a scholarship in his name at Santa Fe College in Gainesville. He became the first African American to serve as President of the National Association of Fleet Administrators (NAFA). Milton actively gave back to the community as a member of the Board of Directors for Alachua County’s United Way. He was also a member of the University of Florida’s Performing Arts center and frequently steered surplus tickets to those who could not typically afford the opportunity to consume the Arts.

Beyond his tireless work ethic, Milton had a passion for sports and cars. He was the top scoring football (soccer) player for his highly ranked high school, which he also represented in cricket. On weekends the teenage Milton would leave the boarding school and go home to drive cane-hauling trucks for the family business. His love for motor vehicles transcended into a lifelong passion for automotive engineering, ranging from high performance sports cars to sophisticated fire engines. As an adult Milton ultimately made a profession out of managing fleets of vehicles.

Milton is survived by his wife Lisa, with whom he lived in Gainesville. He is also survived by sons Mark(Joelle), Kevin(Heather), Milton the 2nd(Tisha), Rory, Dean and Antwon; and grandchildren Dylan, Rhys, Zane, Victoria, Zara and Jordan. Surviving siblings are brothers Winston, Trevor, Lyle, Carl, Michael and Tennyson; and sisters Norma, Leonie, Monica, Audrey, Mitzie and Lorna; and former wives Beverley and Norma. Milton was predeceased by parents Archibald Reid and Ivy Bryan(nee Mattrasingh).

The funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 2nd, 2020 at 11am. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the service will be restricted to immediate family only. It will be streamed real time and the link will be available on this website. After public safety concerns are eliminated a memorial service for friends and extended family will be considered. In lieu of sending flowers, donations can be made to the United Way of North Central Florida. The link is located at the top of the page.