Obituary of John A. Reese, Jr.

John Arthur Reese, Jr. was born to John, Sr. and Tillie Graman Reese on September 18, 1936 in Yankton, South Dakota.  His early years were spent traveling around the Midwest with his parents because his dad was a professional drummer, touring with the Lawrence Welk Orchestra. 

In 1946, the family moved west and settled in Salem, OR joining several members of his mother’s family.  Josh graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1954. Shortly afterward, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and went to San Diego for basic training.  While in boot camp, the recruits were given a chance to apply for the flight program, as the military needed pilots at that time.  Josh applied and was accepted.  He received his wings and commission as a Second Lieutenant, and was designated an officer and a gentleman of the United States Marine Corps in 1956.   

For the next twenty-one years, Josh was an active-duty Marine officer and a fighter pilot. He flew the FJ-3, the F-11, the F-8, and the F-4. His duty stations included MCAS Opa-laka FL; NAS Atsugi Japan; NAS Kingsville TX; MCAS Kaneohe Bay, Oahu HI; MCAS Cherry Point NC; MCAS El Toro CA; MCB Quantico VA; and Marine Corps Headquarters/The Pentagon, Washington D.C.; plus two combat tours to Vietnam.  

While at El Toro, he was the Commanding Officer of Marine Air Base Squadron-11.  Following that, he was the Commanding Officer of VMFA 314 (Black Knights) from April 1973 until July 1974.  He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management through military programs.  Josh and his wife, Barbara, were married in Kingsville, TX in 1964.  They had celebrated their 57^th wedding anniversary in 2021.  Over the years, the couple regularly attended reunions for Josh’s various Marine Corps squadrons. 

Josh retired from the Marine Corps in 1977, and the Reese Family, which now included three daughters, moved back to Oregon to be near Josh’s relatives, and settled in the Spring Valley area of West Salem.  Josh loved his small farm and spent many years gardening and raising livestock.  The family was involved in Polk County 4-H activities.  He was a Master Gardener, a volunteer firefighter, and a member of the Spring Valley Community Association.     

After he came home to Salem, Josh was active with his Sacred Heart High School graduating class, organizing and participating in their many reunions and get-togethers, all of which were very dear to his heart. 

He also taught management classes for Linn-Benton Community College and was the Executive Director of Oregon Games for the Physically Limited, a non-profit organization that provided athletic and sports opportunities for Oregonians of all ages with physical disabilities.  He was proud of the organization and was happy to offer the athletes with disabilities the chance to participate in sports.  

In the 1980s, Josh became an advocate for peace and was active in the nuclear-freeze movement.  He taught his children to respect all living things and was a staunch supporter of civil rights, animal rights, and the environment.  He was a member of the Salem Humanists and a founding-member and volunteer for Oregonians for Science and Reason. 

Josh’s one great love (other than his wife and children) was handball.  He first learned to play when he was about 20 years old, and played the game non-stop for the rest of his life, until COVID interfered in 2020.  Over the years he was involved in many tournaments, both as an organizer and as a participant.  In 2009, the World Handball Championships were held in Portland, and he won in his age bracket, becoming a World Champion.   

Josh created his whole life as being of service – serving his country, his family, and his community – and he was a life-long learner, full of curiosity about the world.  He taught himself to play the guitar, the ukulele, and he took piano lessons for many years.  He took painting classes and horseback riding lessons; he practiced speaking Spanish whenever he had the chance; he excelled playing bridge, poker, and chess.  One of the first people to get a personal computer when they became available, Josh was always up-to-date with the latest technology and spent many an evening playing strategic, action role-playing video games. 

Josh passed away from complications after surgery on December 28, 2021 in Portland.  He is survived by his wife, Barbara; daughters Elisabeth, Mary and Julia; son-in-law Frank (Mary’s husband); his brother David; a niece and two nephews, and a group of Graman Cousins. 

One-of-a kind and irreplaceable, Josh will be sorely missed by so many.  His family intends to honor him by carrying on and growing his legacy of responsibility, curiosity, creativity, and kindness. 

Burial will be in the spring at the Spring Valley Cemetery, with full military honors. 

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to an organization that you believe is making a difference in the world, or you could simply perform a random act of kindness as you go about your daily life. 

 

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