Kilgore man gives kidney to colleague

2010-06-12 / Front Page

By J. LOUISE LARSON news1@kilgorenewsherald.com

Given a chance to be part of a miracle, Ray Reinert said yes. The Kilgore resident gave a good friend a chance at new life last week when he donated a kidney to him. The long-time Kilgore resident is an operator for Eastman, where he has worked with Mike Howell for 20 years . The two have hunted together.

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After knowing Ray and Denise

Submitted by Milton G Decker III (not verified) on Sun, 2010-06-13 09:37.

After knowing Ray and Denise for years i could almost hear Ray's voice saying all these things the city of Kilgore is so lucky to be filled with a community of people just like Ray and Denise. My mother was saved by a family donating their loved ones heart and she lived may years after the transplant thank you to everyone who gives of themselves not everyone can give a kidney but there are other ways GIVE BLOOD

It's been a while since I

Submitted by Bill Wilson (not verified) on Sat, 2010-06-12 14:44.

It's been a while since I have seen Ray and Denice, bit I'm not surprised to know that Ray would do what he did. My congratulations to him, and Denice, to give a gift of life to another human being, the ultimate gift. Bill Wilson

Ray has always been a hero to

Submitted by Glynda and Charlie Hale (not verified) on Sat, 2010-06-12 10:28.

Ray has always been a hero to us. One of the kindest, most giving friends anyone could have!

I want to express our

Submitted by Kimberly Landreneaux (not verified) on Sat, 2010-06-12 10:03.

I want to express our gratitude to Ray and his family. Reading this story reminds us all over again how generous he is. This was a touching story, however there are a few incorrect facts. First off Mike's brother and sister did not die from kidney disease, however both siblings have had kidney transplants, and are doing well. Mikes existing kidneys were not left "just in case." It is normal procedure for the recipiants original kidneys to be left inside the body. Those kidneys will not function ever again. The new kidney is placed through an incision near the belly button. Once again we want to thank the Reinert family for this wonderful gift to my father, and to clarify that my fathers siblings aren't dead yet. Kimberly Landreneaux Mike Howells daughter.