Samuel "Sam" Alton Reese

Samuel "Sam" Alton Reese, age 86, went to his Heavenly Home on Sunday, May 12th, 2024, surrounded by his family. Sam was born on June 29, 1937, in Centreville, MS and was the oldest of 4 brothers. At the age of 3, his family moved to Houston, TX due to the army taking over his family's land in MS during WWII. Sam graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School in 1955 and was enlisted in the U.S. Air Force from 1955 to 1960, including an assignment in the Air Force Security Service. While stationed at Fort Fisher's 701st Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron in North Carolina, he met the love of his life, Shirley Ann Foster, on Kure Beach. They married on August 30, 1958, touching so many lives during their 66 years together. His last Air Force assignment was at Kelly Air Force base in San Antonio.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was fiercely devoted to his family and friends whom he always treated with love, compassion and devotion. Sam was a man of integrity, generosity, loyalty, encouragement, hard work and hard play. He loved being with family and friends in Jamaica Beach where they had a bay house for 25 years. Boating/fishing, collecting shark's teeth, golfing, playing horseshoes and ping pong were some of his favorite hobbies. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting deer and other game, but most of all loved the camaraderie with his family and friends around the campfire. Sam always embraced his role as the preferred camp cook. When his children were young, he spent many years umpiring and coaching Little League baseball, football and girls' softball teams, and was also involved in the YMCA Indian Guides. He loved traveling the world with Shirley at his side. Sam was a member of Christ Church (UMC) in Sugar Land and had the wonderful experience of Emmaus Men's Walk #65. In recent years, he enjoyed meeting his friends for coffee in the mornings at Whataburger, watching old westerns and rooting for his beloved Houston Astros.

He began his career at the City of Houston in 1960 as a draftsman and was promoted to real estate supervisor. In 1969, he left to work with Richard McClendon Co. (later to become Reese-McClendon Co.), involved in acquisitions or real estate developers. Sam was also a real estate appraiser and property tax consultant until he retired. He additionally served the last 5 years of his career as President of Harold Farb Investments, working on the development and management of new and existing properties.

Sam is preceded in death by his parents, Jewell and Geneva Reese and his brother Butch. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Shirley Ann Foster Reese, his daughter Cindy Adkins and partner Gene Lockard of Richmond, TX; daughter Lisa Myers and husband Greg of Richmond, TX; and son Mike Reese of West Columbia, TX. He leaves behind 4 grandchildren: Ryan Reese and wife Stefanie of Sugar Land, TX; Jordan Myers Austin and husband Dan of Austin, TX; Sam Adkins of Houston, TX; and Sean Myers and wife Claire of Fort Worth, TX. He also leaves behind 5 great-grandchildren; Lily and Judson Reese, Addy and Ava Austin, and Oliver Myers; his brother Bill Reese and wife Judy; brother Charles Reese; cousin Buddy Coke and his family; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Sam's love for living life to the fullest, and his witty, story-telling jokes and pranks, will be missed by all. Please join us for his Celebration of Life on Wednesday, May 22nd at 10am at Christ Church (UMC), 3300 Austin Parkway, Sugar Land, TX 77479. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his memory to: The Brookwood Community, 1752 F.M. Road 1489, Brookshire, TX 77423 https://www.brookwoodcommmunity.org/give/