OBIT-Howard Lee Reese

MISSION – Howard Lee Reese, Jr., 84, of Mission, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014.

Mr. Reese was born in Houston. He retired after serving 23 years with the Houston Fire Department. He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict and played in the 531st Air Force band during his time of service. He played the trombone professionally with several bands in the Houston area, including the Bob Smith Orchestra, the E.C. Holland Band and the Ed Gerlach Orchestra. He also played with The Heartbeats, a band composed primarily of cardiologists in the Houston area, which regularly played at social functions benefitting the Texas Heart Institute and other local charities.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Lucille Reese; sons, Kyle Reese and Eric Reese; daughters, Margaret Walker and Toni Trevino; and nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Joyce Klapeski; step-father, Stanley Klapeski; and father, Howard Lee Reese Sr.

A celebration of life service will be held at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association at www.heart.org or the Houston Firefighters Foundation at www.fffhouston.com or by mail at The Fire Fighters Foundation of Houston, One Houston Center, 1221 McKinney St., Suite 2100, Houston, TX 77010.