James R. (Dick) Reese

James R. (Dick) Reese, 89, of Conneaut Lake, passed away Friday, June 28, 2019 at Meadville Medical Center surrounded by his loving family.

He was born November 21, 1929 in Meadville, a son of Wilbur N. and Emma Mays Reese.  He married his long-time companion, Roberta Bullock, on February 8, 2018.

Dick was a 1950 graduate of Meadville High School.  He attended Slippery Rock University, Allegheny College, and graduated from the former Alliance College in Cambridge Springs.  A Veteran of the Korean War, he served in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953.  He played for the Army basketball team and qualified for the Olympic trials quarterfinals in track and field.

Dick was employed in sales and marketing for Care Apothecary, Gardner Denver in Pittsburgh, and Penn Ohio Linen Services.  He also drove school bus for over ten years for First Student and Anderson Bus Companies.

He was an active member of Our Lady Queen of the Americas Roman Catholic Church where he served on Parish Council and was an usher.  Dick was a life-member and former chairman of the trustees of Meadville Elks Lodge 219, member and past officer of the Taylor Hose Co., and board member of the Quality Living Center.  He helped start the Meadville Little Gridders program and Meadville Elks Basketball Tournament.  He had been head basketball coach at St. Agatha’s High School, assistant football coach at Meadville High School, assistant football and basketball coach at Allegheny College, head football coach at Conneaut Lake High School and head basketball coach at Alliance College.

An avid reader, Cleveland Browns and Pitt Panther fan, Dick also enjoyed hunting and golfing.

Survivors, in addition to his loving wife Roberta, include a son Kevin Reese (Julie) of Homer, NY; a daughter, Stacey George (Robert) of Meadville; six grandchildren, Ashley, Jaymie, Amanda, Toby, Alexandra and Kevin; and two great-granddaughters, Joslyn and Lilyane.

Calling hours will be Tuesday, July 2nd from 4-7 p.m. at WAID-COLEMAN FUNERAL HOME, 12422 CONNEAUT LAKE RD., CONNEAUT LAKE with an Elks service at 6:30 p.m. and a Rosary service at 6:45 p.m.

A funeral service will be Wednesday, July 3rd at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home with Fr. Jeffrey Lucas officiating.

Interment will be in Our Lady Queen of the Americas Cemetery with military honors provided by VFW Post 2006.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Crawford County Humane Society, 11012 Kennedy Hill Rd., Meadville, PA 16335 or the Margaret Shontz Memorial Library, P.O. Box 5117, Conneaut Lake, PA 16316.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.waidcolemanfh.com.