John Reese

John Reese, Jr., 81, died Monday, August 5, 2013, at his home on Butterfly Drive, Leicester. Mr. Reese was born in Buncombe County and was a son of the late John B. and Joella Youngblood Reese. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Sherry Reese Glance. He was a graduate of Sand Hill High School and Blanton's Business College, and served with the USAF 468th Strategic Fighter Squadron, both in Europe and the Far East. He was retired from the Engineering Dept. of Cranston Print Works. An avid motorcyclist, he restored a number of motorcycles: BMWs, Gold Wings, and MotoGuzzis. He also built and flew model airplanes and was a member of the Academy of Model Aeronautics. He also enjoyed genealogy, and did extensive research on his family. He was an active and faithful member of Acton United Methodist Church where he served in practically every capacity from grounds maintenance to chairman of the Administrative Board. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Rebecca Carter Reese; son, Brian Reese, and grandchildren, Dr. Sara Katelyn Glance, Tyler Harrison Glance, and Tiffany R. Burleson. Also surviving are her son-in-law, Dr. Greg Glance; a niece, Gloria Strickland and her husband, Earl; a nephew Fred Whitaker and his wife, Pat; and dear friends, Lucille Hannah and husband, Dick, and Dottie Siler and husband Bud. A memorial service is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. Wednesday at Acton United Methodist Church with the Rev. Warren N. Owens and the Rev. Dr. Rob Blackburn officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Acton United Methodist Church, 171 Sand Hill School Road, Asheville, NC 28806, or to John F. Keever Solace Center/CarePartners Hospice, PO Box 25331, Asheville, NC 28803. Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue is assisting the family .