SPOKANE, Wash. — The Historic Davenport Hotel is honoring a beloved doorman by displaying his signature red coat.
John Reed passed away in April at the age of 88. He began working at the hotel in 1942 as a busboy working for 35 cents an hour. He most recently worked as the head doorman four days a week and the rest was history.
“In April, our beloved doorman and longest tenured employee, John Reed, passed away. To honor his years of inspiring commitment to our guests, hotel, and community, we have proudly displayed his coat,” Davenport Hotels wrote on Twitter.
"The red coat was kind of a giveaway. He was kind of a beacon at the front door. Everybody wanted to talk to him and come see him," said Davenport Director of Marketing Matt Jensen in April.
In June 2017, the hotel celebrated his 75 years of service by renaming a conference room after him.
Hotel representatives said Reed knew every nook and cranny of the building better than anyone.
"He became the reason people came to visit," said Davenport Managing Director Lynnelle Caudill.
"It's unheard of to have a 75-year employee in any company. It was just a different time," Jensen added.