John F. Reece, Jr.

Major John F. Reece, Jr., age 91 of Hamilton, passed away on Sunday, July 5, 2015 at Westover Retirement Community. He was born on April 25, 1924 in Hamilton, the son of the late John F. Reece, Sr. and Eve (Dunar) Reece. On November 9, 1946 in Hamilton, he married his wife of over 57 years, Norma Agnes (MacKinnon) Reece, and she preceded him in death on June 6, 2004. In 1941, at the age of 17, John left high school and joined the U.S. Navy, servingaboard the U.S.S. Iowa during WWII. On his return at war’s end, he completed his high school education and went on to earn several degrees including an A.S. in Police Administration from the University of Dayton where he received the Jennings Scholar Award, and a B.S. in Education from Miami University of Ohio. He became a Hamilton Police Officer in 1951, retiring in 1977 at the rank of Major. Major Reece was awarded the Medal of Valor for bravery -- twice -- by the Hamilton Police Department, Outstanding Police Officer and the Outstanding Citizen Award from the City of Hamilton. An expert marksman, he won numerous awards over the years, including the FBI National Academy Firearms Award. Once an avid pilot, John even found time to earn a Commercial Pilot’s License. He was a life member of the D.A.V., a 32nd Degree Mason in the Valley of Cincinnati AASR, a 63-year member of Benjamin Franklin Lodge #719, served as Tyler at Oxford Lodge #67, a Companion of Hamilton Chapter R.A.M. #21, and Past President of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #38. He is survived by his children, Donald (Reggie) Reece of Oxford and Connie (Edward) Dunsmuir of Hamilton; grandchildren, Heather (Philip Sauer) Reece, John (Angela) Dunsmuir and Christopher Dunsmuir; and great-grandchildren, Marlon MacKinnon Sauer, Abbey Dunsmuir, Sarah Dunsmuir, Layne Dunsmuir and Andrew Dunsmuir. John was preceded in death by his grandson, Benjamin Reece and sister, Joy Duerr. Private Services will be held at the convenience of the family.