"Go rest high on that mountain 'cause son your work on earth is done."
"I wish I could see the angels' faces, when they hear your sweet voice sing"
It is with utmost sadness that the family of Jack Thomas Reese announce the departure of our beloved father, who passed away on 3 Sep 2024 at the age of 87.
His life journey was defined by love, happiness, and the pride and joy he felt for his family. He passed away peacefully at home with his family at his bedside.
Dad's lifelong guiding philosophy was to live life with grace, integrity and inner peace. He encouraged his children to "be gentle with yourself" and "be cheerful" -- no matter what life throws your way.
Jack was born in Plymouth, PA on 4 June 1937 to the late Charles Hayden Reese and Gertrude Eddy Reese. He graduated from Harter High School in 1955 and enlisted in the USAF in Nov 1955. He served his country honorably in the United States Air Force and retired after 22 ½ years, followed by another 20 ½ years of US Civil Service, for a combined total of 43 years. He loved learning about new technology, immersing himself in different cultures, and had a knack for picking up new languages. His overseas tours took him to Okinawa and Tokyo, Japan, Greenland, Thailand, and Korea. His military and civil service careers were in the communications squadrons starting during the infancy era of telegraphic-typewriter operators. His career grew along alongside the evolvement of communication technology becoming a Communications Statistician, Plans and Programs for HQ SAC and 1963 Comm Squadron, Project Manager for HQ TAC, PACAF, Eastern Space and Missile Center TEMPEST, Information Management Specialist HQ 36th Signal Battalion, COMSEC Manager and STU-III Manager.
Outside of his work life, Jack found joy in spending treasured moments with family. He loved family get-togethers, loved to joke and always had a smile on his face. He was always the first to adopt the latest technical innovations and loved showing his high-tech toys/skills to his family. His passion was music and he always had an instrument in his hand and a song in his heart! He started playing the guitar as a teen and was touted by his high school friends as being "the next Hank Snow". He played guitar, banjo, mandolin, dulcimer, harmonica, and loved when he got to have "jam sessions" with his children and their families. He loved to sing and play his guitar and loved to share his videos with family and friends; he was a true star! He loved making up songs and singing to the young ones in the household. His love of music is his legacy and this gift has passed down to all of his family to include his great grandchildren!
Jack is predeceased by his mother Gertude and father Charles (Chuck) Reese and brothers George Reese, Charles (Beaner) Reese, and Kenneth Reese.
Jack Reese is survived by wife Motoko Baba Reese and their 5 children, Sandra Troeschel Reese, John Reese, Martin (Beth)Reese, Donna Marchigiani Reese and Clinton (Tuesday) Reese. He also leaves behind seven grandchildren, Ryan Troeschel, Dr Alyssa Troeschel, Jacob Reese, Jared Reese, Hayden and Alfred (AJ) Marchigiani, Jackson Reese and 2 great grandchildren Emiko and Mari Troeschel.
Jack was husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend to all. He will be missed and forever loved by all who knew him. His presence in our lives was a blessing, his memory is a treasure and will live on in our hearts.
Although teardrops run down our face, we know that we will meet again. May you rest in peace and find eternal happiness.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, 27 September 2024 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Olde Yorke Chapel at the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Yorktown. Procession will follow to Jack's final resting place. Internment is scheduled at 3 p.m. at the Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk, VA. A Celebration of Life for family and friends will be held on Saturday at the family home.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Alzheimer's Association.