Charles A. Reese

Rev. Charles A. Reese, 81, of Kerens, formerly of Waco, passed away Sunday, June 29th at a Waco hospital.

Funeral services: 10AM Thursday, July 3rd at Lake Shore Funeral Home Chapel.

Burial: China Spring Cemetery.

Visitation: will be 6 to 8PM Wednesday, July 2nd at Lake Shore Funeral Home, 5201 Steinbeck Bend in Waco.

On June 29, 2014 this world lost Charles Anderson Reese, a beloved husband, father, pastor, counselor and friend. Chuck, or “Dink”, as his family and close friends called him,  was a complex man with many talents.  He loved a fine scotch and a powered-sugar donut, not necessarily together or in that order.  He could preach a moving lesson of ”love one another” from the pulpit in the morning and cheer for the Cowboys to “kill” their opponents on Sunday afternoon.

Chuck was born February 3, 1933 in Kerens, Texas to Anna Lucille Anderson and Charles Erin Reese.  He graduated from Kerens High School. He attended Baylor University his freshman year.   He completed his undergraduate degree at Trinity University in San Antonio (where he also pitched for the Trinity Tigers) and later earned a Masters of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Texas.

Called to the ministry, Chuck attended the seminary at Princeton University and earned a Masters of Divinity. He spent much of his career as Assistant Chief Probation Officer at McLennan County Juvenile Probation in Waco.   He finished his social services career in San Antonio, Texas.   While in San Antonio, Chuck sang with the San Antonio Barber Shop Chorus and in a close- knit barber shop quartet with whom he created perfect harmony, and cultivated lasting friendships.  San Antonio also brought Chuck together with the woman who would became his wife, his closest companion and love of his life until his death — Hope Dominguez-Reese.

Chuck is also survived by his three children — Charles M. Reese; John Reese and partner Yvonne Harder; and Jim Reese and wife Julie.   Chuck loved spending time with his sons, who have grown into the same kind of caring men as their father.  Each had their own unique bonds and common interests with their dad and his pride in each of them was clear to anyone who spent much time with Chuck.  Chuck is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews too numerous to name, but all of whom were precious to him.

Returning home to Kerens to care for his mother upon his retiremet, Chuck served as associate Pastor of his boyhood church — Kerens Presbyterian. As a  man of God, Reverend Reese’s ability to inspire and comfort through a quickly crafted prayer was legend.  Chuck prayed as if he had a direct connection to the Lord and his prayers always made you feel he could directly connect you too.  Chuck aspired to be a fisher of men.  He always had his net cast wide, but never pushed or judged.

Although he was recently required to be a hospital patient, Chuck was far more comfortable as a visitor in hospitals, providing pastoral and hospice care to parishioners and family alike.   Whether visiting a church member with his wife, Hope, cheering for the Rangers with his mother-in-law in her final days, or just helping his sister-in-law with those last two clues of every daily crossword, he always made a boring hospital stay more — well, hospitable.  When the end came for those he loved he was always there to offer comfort and prayer; we know by his example, that it would honor him for us to offer the same kind of prayers for him and comfort to those he loved at this difficult time.  The irreplacable Mr. Reese will be sorely missed by all who loved him, but we know he is with his Lord and all those he so lovingly ministered in their final days.

Pallbearers will be Tommy Higgins, Erv Donajkowski, Campbell Donajkowski, Clyff Curry, Charles Curry, Reagan Ratcliff, Joe Dominguez, Don Helms, and Nicholas Green.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Kerens Presbyterian Church, 301 SE 3rd St., Kerens, TX 75144.

Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online Guest Book at www.LakeShoreFunerallHome.com/obituaries.

Place of Service: Lake Shore Funeral Home Chapel , 5201 Steinbeck Bend; Waco, TX 76708