Harold Sullivan Rees

1920 – 2022

Loma Linda, CA

He may have designed your dream home.

He may have handcrafted the viola you play in the orchestra.

He may have serenaded you at a local fair, or jogged past you on a high mountain trail.

At well over 101-years-old, he may have handed you a twenty-dollar bill outside of the food market because you looked like you needed help - then climbed into his own car and drove away with a driver’s license that was set to expire when he turned 103.

Or, if you happen to be the angelic Golden Guest Home caregiver named Mary, he held your hand as he took his last breath at 4:45 AM on April 5th, 2022.

Harold Rees expired a year before his driver’s license would have, spending 102 caring, contributive and creative years on this earth.

He was in love with his wife Ramona from the moment they met, and remained so after her passing in 2017, feeling blessed to have his best friend as a courageous and joyous lifelong companion. He was the best playmate for his grandchildren, building treehouses, swings, stilts, model trainsets and all manner of creations to keep them active and laughing. He loved trading stories and making music with his brothers Vernon, Forest, and sister Evie.

In addition to being a loving husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather and brother, he inspired many as a painter, architect, musician, singer, sculptor and maker of fine musical instruments including violins, violas, cellos, mandolins, banjos and ukuleles. He was a draughtsman for the renowned “cloverleaf” Loma Linda University Medical Center.

He loved all things cowboy, and built his own Rees Fiddle Shop to look like it was transported right out of the Old West – including a rustic spittoon.

Three months before his passing, when he fell and broke his kneecap, he drove himself to the emergency room because he didn’t want to trouble anyone. Then, wearing a leg brace, he limped back into his Fiddle Shop to continue creating beautiful instruments. This sort of self-reliance, determination and quest for craftsmanship made him a true inspiration to his family, friends, and those who came to know him through his son’s social posts. On his 102nd Birthday, Harold listened with humble appreciation as 162 congratulatory facebook comments were read to him in hospice. He certainly knew how much he was loved in his final days.

On April 3rd, while the rest of the world watched the Grammy’s, Harold got his own personal performance from his youngest son, who used a Harold Rees crafted ukulele to play all of the favorite songs that they used to perform together in their family band.

On his last day, his grandson Ian Rees wrote, performed and posted a wonderful tribute song titled “Harold (aka Gramps) – A Song For My Grandfather”.

And on his last night, the pastel portrait Harold created of his late wife Ramona hung on the wall near his bed, smiling down and beckoning him into the Great Beyond.

He is survived by two sons: Jerry (wife Rebecca, children Ian, Wilder); and James.

Harold wished dearly for the day he would be reunited with Ramona “in the twinkling of an eye”. The last time I looked in his eyes, I got a glimpse of that heavenly twinkle.

Written by Jerry Rees

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.montecitomemorialparkandmortuary.com for the Rees family.