Leonard D Reese III
Died: 8/23/2022
Description:
Leonard Downs Reese III, of Tatum, TX, a proud veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, passed away on Tuesday, August 23, 2022 in Longview, TX.
Leonard was born August 31, 1948 in Natrona Heights, PA to Ruth Elizabeth McMaster Reese and Leonard Downs Reese, Jr. He moved with his family to Houston, TX in 1960. He married his soulmate, Cynthia Jameson Reese, in 1975 in Tatum, TX. They had two children, Elizabeth Jameson Reese and Leonard Downs Reese IV.
Leonard is survived by his wife of 47 years, Cynthia Jameson Reese; daughter Elizabeth Jameson Reese and husband Daniel Miller of San Francisco; son Leonard Downs Reese IV and wife Tingting Lu, and their son, Kaius Lu Reese, of global residence; sisters Virginia Reese Malobicky and husband Rudy of Pittsburgh, PA, Sally Reese Hecht and husband Sid of Phoenix, AZ, and Barbara Reese Kiser and husband Roy of Plainview, TX; brother George Edward Reese of Houston, TX; multifold nephews, nieces, great-nephews, and great-nieces; plus an extraordinary amount of close friends and even greater number of cherished students.
At the age of 20, Leonard enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. A Corporal, he served as an infantry machine gunner with 2nd Platoon Charlie Co, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division in 1969-1970 during the Vietnam war. Later in life, Leonard would go on to detail his experience of conflict and its lasting effect on his life in his memoir, “The Nam Within.”
Leonard received his Masters of Education from SFA in 1975. He worked at Tatum Independent School District for 36 years, impacting the community as a teacher, counselor, academic coach, and school bus driver (once when picking up schoolchildren following a heavy storm, a broken power line fell on top of his school bus electrifying the vehicle; Leonard kept all the youngsters calm and still in the insulated school bus to avoid electrocution until first responders arrived). Over the decades, “Mr. Reese” touched the lives of generations of students in Tatum, grounding the community as a dependable mentor and role model.
Throughout his life, Leonard always made sure to demonstrate his affection to his family members, making sure they felt cared for. He lived his life thoughtfully, with kindness, and with a deep consideration of others. He raised his children with love and respect, and doted on his grandson with tenderness. More than anything else in life, he loved his wife, Cindy, as was so clearly written in his every look at her.
Funeral services with Military Honors will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, September 3, 2022, at Tatum United Methodist Church with Pastor Everigester Adams, Jr., Rev. Jamie Brown, and Rev. Dwain Smith officiating.
Honorary pallbearers will be Pat Browning, Doug Kayem, Dr. Doug McMillan, Pat Parks, Terry Stanton, Steven Woodfin, the Marines from 2nd Platoon Charlie Co in ‘69-70, and the Rum Runners from Memorial High School.
The family would like to specially thank Dr. Rick Earnest, Dr. Pam Fisher, and Paula Bradley for the care they provided to Leonard.
Memorials may be sent to:
The Tatum Education Foundation,
The Tatum United Methodist Church,
The Tatum Cemetery Association,
or to a charity of your choice.
Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.crawfordacrim.com.
Comments
| User | Message | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| David Thompson | My best goes out to Cindy and rest of family. Red, we went through some rough time back in 69 & 70, but we made it home. Gonna miss you my friend. Semper Fi | 8/25/2022 9:05 AM | |
| Brenda Dartez | Heaven gained one of the sweetest people I've ever known. I'm so sorry for your family. | 8/25/2022 1:19 PM | |
| Jonna Allen Anderson | From the moment I met you, I saw a tender, loving, man whose kindness I wanted to get to know better. You and Cindy fast became friends of ours, and I will miss you terribly. Much love to Cindy, your children, and all who knew you! | 8/25/2022 2:03 PM | |
| Trung Pham | My sincere condolences to Mrs. Reese. I got to know Mr. Reese when I was in Tatum and always remember him as a very nice and knowledgeable teacher. | 8/27/2022 7:22 AM | |
| Vicky Sparks | So sorry for the loss of your loved one. Walter always spoke highly of Red Reese. Prayers for all of you. | 8/28/2022 5:10 PM | |
| Mary Paige Woodfin | When I think of Leonard, I smile. He had the most endearing way with people. He made everyone feel special. He was a kind, compassionate and intelligent. Our lives are better for having had time to spend with him. Many memories I have but one special one. My husband and I had a bookstore in Kilgore and our Daughter was the barista. We had to run to Shreveport, so Vangie was alone for the day to manage sales and coffee. Mr. Reese sat in the front entrance room with a book and stayed til closing. I asked my husband about it and he said "once a marine always a marine." He was noble and honorable always. Cindy, we love you and your children and their families. You will stay in hearts during this time of loss. We will see on Saturday. | 8/28/2022 5:22 PM | |
| Amy Brown | I loved talking with Mr. Reese he always made it feel like what you were saying was the most important thing to him at that time. Leonard Reese will be greatly misses. Amy Brown | 8/30/2022 2:43 PM | |
| Julie Reid | I was sad to hear of Mr Reese’s passing. My first year at Tatum he made me laugh daily and I enjoyed the Media class he taught. I soon learned of his friendship with my dad that gave us something to talk about often. You will be missed. | 8/30/2022 3:26 PM | |
| Sherry Pelsia | I am student of Mr. Reese. I graduated in 2005 with Downs. Mr. Reese mixed history with laughter which I loved. He was a great teacher! Every time we would say it was hot or cold in his class, his response was always, "I know, it feels good huh." Then he would adjust the thermostat right before class ended lol. I will always remember evaporation and precipitation by his hand gestures lol. I was also blessed to have Mrs. Reese as a teacher. I will be praying for your family! Mr. Reese was a good man. | 8/30/2022 3:45 PM | |
| dd johnson | Leonard always put a smile on my face! He was quick to love and shared his inquisitive nature with others. I love how Leonard and Cindy love each other! I will miss him dearly. Love Always and forever. | 8/30/2022 4:29 PM | |
| Robert Cox | I’m so sorry, I’ve just heard the news. Mr. Reese is an inspiration to me even now, two decades after stepping out of his classroom for the last time. The warmth, patience, and guidance he showed to everyone set an example that I use daily in how I treat all those closest to me, especially my children. He has been missed all these years away, he will be missed in perpetuity, but his legacy lives on through everyone his life touched. | 8/30/2022 4:51 PM | |
| Debbie Ross | Leonard was probably the most gentle kind loving person I know although I wouldn’t want to mess with him if he had to protect his wife , child , family member or friend ( if he did I’m sure he would do it in the kindest but most firm way he knew ) .He was in and out and around our family for many years as friend, our children and grandkids teacher and neighbor. His book was a look into his life I wish he hadn’t had to live but was proud to do so for us all. Thank you Leonard for everything | 8/30/2022 6:25 PM | |
| miranda | Dear mr Reese you were always one of my most beloved teachers I enjoyed your class very much you were always so kind I still remember you would always let me pair up with one my best friends for class work I’m very sad that you are gone but you are not forgotten thank you for everything RIP | 8/30/2022 6:56 PM | |
| Jamie (Johnson) Pennywell | Mr. Reese, I’m not sure there are words for a man such as himself. He was a compassionate teacher with a big, wonderful personality. I pray that Elizabeth and Downs find comfort knowing how many lives he touched, inspired, and warmed. Ms. Reese, may your soul find comfort knowing he is well, and he is filling heaven with his knowledge and humor. What a light we have lost. Thank you for being you always, Mr. Reese! | 8/30/2022 7:40 PM | |
| Paul Anderson | Leonard was a friend and a gentleman. He taught me much through the months we were together in Roxie's writing and reading group. Although we met in our later and retired lives, I'm thankful that I had the opportunity to meet Leonard and Cindy and to read his book "The Nam Within." -Paul Anderson | 8/30/2022 9:02 PM |