James W. Reese passed away peacefully at his home in Holbrook on Tuesday, April 26, 2016. Services will be held on Saturday, May 7, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Holbrook. The viewing will begin at 9 a.m., followed by the rosary at 10:15 a.m. and Mass at 11 a.m. He was born March 4, 1932, in Rolling Prairie, Ind., the youngest of 12 children. He served in the U.S. Army and was in the Korean War. He belonged to Elks Lodge BPOE No. 2450 and the American Legion in Holbrook. He ventured west to attend Arizona State College (Northern Arizona University) in Flagstaff to complete his teaching degree. Soon after he completed his degree he was hired in the Holbrook School District, where he taught typing and business. After his retirement he substituted; he was needed anywhere from kindergarten to the 12th grade. The younger classes asked if they could call him grandpa. He taught for over 50 years in the Holbrook School District. He loved coaching baseball and basketball and had many winning seasons. He was an avid Chicago Cubs and Notre Dame Fighting Irish fan. More importantly, he was known for his stories, jokes, poems and keep smiling cards. Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Mary; three children; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and two sisters. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and five sisters. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that all donations go to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church of Holbrook.
