Paul Leon Reese

Paul L. Reese passed away peacefully on December 24, 2020 at the age of 94 surrounded by his family. He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years Macie. Paul is survived by his sons Mark (Deb Laurion) and Steve, his daughter Cindy (Dan Toomey) and granddaughter Stephanie (Christian Juenke).

Paul was born in Florida on August 20, 1926 and was raised by his single mother Bertha after his father Ralph died when Paul was very young. Bertha moved the family including his sisters Betty and Ruth to Ohio, then to Los Gatos, California. While still in high school Paul enlisted in the Army where he served his country with honor during WW2 as a paratrooper and demolition expert. He rarely discussed his time in the Army so many of the stories he told in recent years were revelations to his kids. He often told stories of his adventures hitchhiking across the US to various bases before shipping out to Germany. Hitchhiking often included flying in something he hadn’t planned on.

After Paul’s discharge at the end of the war, he moved to Denver, Colorado where he graduated from the University of Denver with a degree in Accounting. He skied and hiked all the great Colorado areas before he took his first career move to Rangely, Colorado where he met and married Macie, the love of his life. They shared a love of music and dancing to the big bands. They continued to attend concerts through out their marriage including Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, Andre Boccelli and Diana Ross. They also traveled extensively with their favorite trip to Spain and Portugal as the highlight along with annual trips to Xtapa.

Paul was a wonderful, giving and supportive father who instilled his love of the outdoors, adventure, travel, golf and skiing in his kids. This included one of his favorite teaching techniques of taking his kids to the steepest and hardest slope and saying, “see you at the bottom.” A technique passed on to his son Steve to torture his sister and then his granddaughter Stephanie. Mark was busy skiing out of bounds and over boulder jumps but he and his father shared a love of beer. Particularly Coors.

Paul was a man known for his engaging personality and the ability to bring a smile to every face. He had a successful career as an accountant, financial controller and small business owner. He led with integrity and a focus on doing the right thing. He had an unfailing determination in everything he pursued. He also had a passion for remodeling homes and was always working on the next project.

Paul also loved his canine companions with 7 dogs spanning nearly 66 years of dog ownership with the oldest living to 18 years: Toby, Susie Q, Clancy, Duffy and Mollie, Kater, and Reece.

After selling his business in Denver, he and Macie relocated to the metro Phoenix area where he spent the remaining 36 years of his life. He lived a great life and will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please send Donations to Hospice of the Valley, ASPCA

Please feel free to leave condolences and photos of Paul via this website.