Eric Adams wants to make sure his friend, Michael Reed, receives the recognition he deserves as an artist and as a good human being.

“He is more than a statistic,” Adams, of Silsbee, said. “He made an impact of us. For me, he was my first friend at Lamar (University-Beaumont). Who I am today as an artist I not only attribute to my professors; Michael is that guy for me.”

Reed, 29, was found dead in his home in the 1700 block of 10^th Street on Dec. 18. A person of interest has been named in the homicide and the investigation continues.

Sitting at a table at Port Arthur Public Library, Adams flipped though his phone and clicked on a video showing a smiling, dancing Michael Reed. Then there is the big grin on his face as he posed for a picture with his “photo family” which includes fellow LU photography students.

Reed, a native of Port Arthur, enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2004 and served for five years spending time in Iraq. In 2009 he enrolled in LU, according to information on his 500xp.com site showcasing his photographic work.

The two men met several years later and were quick friends. Reed, an African American, and Adams, who is white, were able to talk about issues that are sometimes deemed uncomfortable such as race, segregation, the economy and more with ease.

Through the years Reed stopped going to school, Adams graduated and the two lost touch with each other.

“The last time I spoke with him he was building a garden, working in Port Arthur and trying to make art again,” he said.

The Port Arthur man didn’t talk much about himself but was there as a friend.

“He didn’t tell a lot of stories,” Adams said. “He listened more than he talked.”

Instead, Reed communicated with the camera lens bringing colorful landscapes, animals and black and white photos to life.

Adams penned a letter about his friend.

“You should know that he was an artist. Using a camera, he photographed his hometown, friends, strangers and his explorations. He was a man who served his country and was a world traveler. Michael told few stories and listened to so many. He could hold a conversation with anyone and would always lift those who needed to be on higher ground. Michael never doubted people and was always honest in his love for the world,” he said.

Adams called it a tragedy his friend became a statistic in a town so riddled with violence. This, he said, was not the vision Reed had of Port Arthur — “a town in which he magnificently captured with a camera, should know his name and know the optimism he had for her.”

Adams is especially saddened his friend was killed, allegedly while helping another person. He feels the anger, he said, but realizes there is no point into holding on to the negativity.

“As an artist I think how can I be proactive. How can I create from this,” he said.

He is now trying to reach out to Reed’s family and wants to display the Port Arthur man’s work.

“I don’t like to know what happened. I had heard Michael had let him (suspect) into his house, this homeless man,” he said. “Michael would talk to strangers. Would talk to a person having coffee in New Orleans. If anything, we should all model his humanity.”

Port Arthur Police have identified Eric McWilliams, 32, a transient, as a person of interest in Reed’s murder. McWilliams traveled to Teague, Texas after the death and was temporarily held in an initiation on a mental health warrant. He has been released and remains in Teague, police said.

A funeral service for Reed was held at Thomas Boulevard Church of Christ earlier this month. He was laid to rest at Houston National Cemetery directed by Hannah Funeral Home Inc.

E-mail: mary.meaux@panews.com

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