Donald Charles Reese

Donald Charles Reese, 77, passed away November 28, 2017. His death was sudden. He suffered a massive stroke. He did not wish to be put on life support. A gathering of friends will be held from Noon to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at the Knights of Columbus, 906 Central Ave. West, Great Falls. Come and share your memories and what Don meant to you. Don was born on January 3, 1940 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania to Richard N. Reese and Evelyn (Havercamp) Reese. He is survived by his wife Cynthia S. Melton; sisters Diane Reese and Evelyn Susie Mellingers; brother Robert Reese; 6 nephews and 4 nieces. Donald is preceded in death by his parents and older brother Richard “Dick” Jr. Don will be greatly missed by family and many friends. Don was liked by many who met him. He had an easy going personality, very warm, and a great sense of humor and great zest attitude for life. He entered the United States Air Force on June 25, 1962 and was honorably discharged on July 27, 1971. Don traveled the world through his career in the Air Force. He did not talk much about his time in the service, he felt that there were more important things to devote his time to. Education was a very big part of this life. It was important to him to stay educated. He helped his friend’s children to get to school and helped with their homework. He was always challenging, educating and broadening my horizons. When Don ended his career with the Air Force he chose to stay in Great Falls, as he felt that this was home to him. He opened a shop at 2nd Avenue South and 5th Street. He was an avid mechanic. He had a love for Volkswagen Bugs, which he passed on to his nephew, Little Bobby. He later closed the shop. When Bobby lived in Colorado, he would come to visit every 4th of July and always took a Bug home with him. Later in life, genealogy became very important to Don. He spent countless hours researching his family’s life and history. Don and I first met in 1984, when I was married to the taxidermy shop owner next to Don’s Auto Shop. We later met up again in 2000. Don would tease me and others that his family owned the Reese’s Candy Company and would someday inherit a fortune. He loved Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. I believed him for a while. I wised up. His father served in the Air Force and was stationed at MAFB, in Great Falls. Don’s mom worked for RV TV Company for 25 years. Don always told me all his mother had to do to get to work was walk out the back door and cross the street. Don was a joker and loved to make people laugh. He was always pulling my leg and sometimes I never knew when to take him seriously. He was always able to make me smile. One of Don’s favorite stories was when his parents took Little Bobby and Carolina on a trip out west and Little Bobby went in to buy a cowboy hat. Grandpa asked Little Bobby how much he paid for it. Little Bobby said, “$1.00 a gallon.” It was a 10 gallon hat. May 2017 through August 2017, Don was able to travel to Pennsylvania to spend time with his 2 sisters in Pennsylvania and his brother in New Hampshire. He was also able to spend time in Florida to visit his 3 nephews and their families. Had many fond memories. The past few summers Don was able to travel back to his hometown to visit his family and friends. Cindy stayed home to tend to the home fires and take care of the animals. Don’s great love was his dogs Wes and Squirt. Don and Squirt were inseparable. Don leaves behind his beloved cats, Purr, Baby, Midnight and Big Guy. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Don’s name to the Grace Home, 2211 5th Ave. N, Great Falls, MT 59401. Burial of ashes will be held at a later date in Lancaster, PA. Don will be laid to rest with his parents and brother with military honors.