Cleland Pyle Reese

Cleland P. Reese received his final orders on Sunday August 19, 2018 and is now permanently stationed with his Lord in heaven.  Cle, as he was known to friends and family, was born on November 22, 1935 in Wilmington Delaware to John & Beatrice Reese and joyfully received by twin older sisters Beverly and Barbara.  He grew up with a love of fishing, hunting and all things outdoors. Animals of all sorts were of fascination to him and one of his first and favorite summer jobs was working in the Columbus Zoo with the tigers and lions. Cle graduated high school in Worthington Ohio and became a proud Ohio State Buckeye. It was on the campus of Ohio State that two pivotal events occurred.  He enrolled in Army ROTC and met his future wife Diane. He and Diane married in March of 1957 and shortly thereafter he received a commission as a Lieutenant in the Army. During his 24-year career he served two tours in Vietnam and graduated from the Command College in Fort Leavenworth Kansas. While serving his country he was twice awarded the Bronze Star as well as the Army Commendation Metal for meritorious service.

After retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel, Cle and Diane returned to Fayetteville where he worked as a realtor for 14 years and then for the city of Fayetteville for another 10 years. In his capacity as a realtor for the city, Cle assisted with much of the land acquisition required for restoring downtown.  His favorite project was his involvement in procuring the property necessary to build the 82nd Airborne Museum. During his spare time Cle continued to serve others through his work on the Board of Directors of Habitat for Humanity as well as many committees and projects at Campground Methodist Church. It was at Campground that he met his second wife, Aileen Rhew and they married in 2003.

Cle was proceeded in death by a grandson Kyle Luckett in 1991, his first wife Diane in 1998 and his second wife Aileen in 2017. He is survived by his sister Barbara Matthews of Ohio along with his children Sherrie Ray and husband Doug of Fort Mill, SC, Scott Reese and wife June of Charlotte NC and daughter Christy Luckett and husband Doug of Madison NC.

‘Pop Pop’ as he is known to his grandchildren, Garrett & Meghann Ray, Adam Ray, Ashley Reese, Amber George, Zachary Luckett, Tanner Luckett and step granddaughter Katy Madnick will be missed for his big hugs and great stories.

Greatgrandchildren include Lachlan Ray, Anna Claire Ray, Caleb Reese, Lillian George, Camari Henegan and a step great-granddaughter Kera Thompson. Cle was loved and respected by many nieces, nephews, his wife Aileen’s family and a very special care assistant, Serea Snyder, along with her daughters Mia and Savannah.

The family thanks all of his caretakers as well as the Campground Methodist family for loving and praying for him through trying times. The essence of Cle’s life can be found in James 2:22 which says, “You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.”  It is in that spirit that the family suggests, instead of flowers, you would honor him by making donations to Campground Methodist Church, Habitat for Humanity or any organization that strives to serve those in need.     

A service to celebrate Cle’s life will be held at Campground United Methodist Church on Friday, September 21st at 10:30am followed by burial with full military honors immediately afterward at Sandhills Veterans Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Campground before the service starting at 9:30am.

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