Born on September 12, 1942, in Akron, Ohio, to Arnold and Dorothy Reese, Randy moved to Paris in the early 1950s when his father was relocated to help open the new Babcock & Wilcox plant.
It was in Paris that Randy’s life changed forever through a blind date. Set up by a local acquaintance with a girlfriend from Houston,Judy England. The pair quickly fell in love and were married on August 8, 1964. Randy and Judy established their home in Paris, where they raised their three children: Brian, Lori, and Allison.
Randy began his career as a draftsman for Denny Architects. A veteran of the Army National Guard, he eventually followed in his father’s footsteps at Babcock & Wilcox, where he served as a Production Engineer for over 20 years.
Even in retirement, Randy remained active in his craft. He shared his knowledge by teaching Architecture classes at Paris Junior College and operated a home-based drafting business, specializing in local residential and commercial design.
A lifelong Christian, Randy was a pillar of Calvary United Methodist Church and a dedicated member of the Wesleyan Class. His commitment to service extended into the community as a member and past president of the Paris Jaycees, and through his many years of volunteering with Habitat for Humanity.
Randy was an avid traveler who explored the world with curiosity, visiting more than 25 countries across six continents and 49 of the 50 U.S. states. When he wasn’t traveling, he was a passionate sports fan. He particularly enjoyed Pro and College football and Major League Baseball; some of his favorite memories included traveling to Cleveland with his son, Brian, to cheer on their beloved Browns.
Randy is survived by his children and their families: Brian and Rachel Reese of Forney, Lori and Charles Cooley of Corpus Christi, and Allison and Rusty Cole of Paris; grandchildren Robin and Brenna Reese and Colby and Cady Cooley; and brother-in-law Richard England of Spring.
The family will receive friends for visitation on Sunday, April 19, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held on Monday, April 20, at 11:00 a.m. at Meadowbrook Cemetery, officiated by Rev. Kevin Strempke.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Calvary United Methodist Church.
