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Reece Middleton Obituary

Reece Middleton

Shreveport - Reece Middleton, 84, was born on October 5, 1935 in McCaysville, Georgia to Frank and Thelma Middleton and died on Thursday, July 23, 2020 in Shreveport, Louisiana after a brief illness.

Reece was preceded by his parents; two brothers, Frank Middleton, Jr. and George Barton Middleton, mother and father-in-law, Louis and Mary Margaret Boudreaux and brother and sister-in-law, Wilson and Mary Lou Spencer. He is survived by his wife, Marshall Boudreaux Middleton; two daughters, Lindsey Gehman and husband, Mike and Reece Disney Middleton; two step-children, Louis Wallace and wife Camilla and Samantha Lee; sisters-in-law, Margaret Boudreaux and Barbara Middleton; grandchildren, Sarra, Hanna, Nicholas, Gabrielle, Tess, Dakota and wife Bailey, Hannah and Ian; great-granddaughter, Juniper as well as several close first cousins and their families.

Reece was the retired Executive Director of The Louisiana Association on Compulsive Gambling, of which he was co-founder. He was a 1957 graduate of Davidson College and earned a master's degree in counseling from Louisiana Tech University in 1993. Reece served his country in the Army as an Artillery Officer and saw active duty in Korea in 1958. He also served as a reservist and national guardsman, participating in the quelling of the Los Angeles Watts riots of 1965. He left reserve duty with the rank of Captain, Artillery.

After a successful career in sales, he decided to focus on helping others and began a career in counseling and administration in the field of Addiction Recovery. The last eighteen years before retirement were spent specializing in working with compulsive gamblers. With considerable help from the State of Louisiana and the Gaming Industry, he founded CORE-Center of Recovery, a residential Treatment Center for Gambling Addiction, the Outpatient Gambling Treatment Program and The Louisiana Problem Gamblers Helpline. All services are free to Louisiana residents and the helpline is toll-free to persons in numerous states.

Reece was a former Executive Vice President of the National Council on Problem Gambling, which honored him with the prestigious Herman Goldman Award, now the Msgr. Dunn Award, in 2006. After retirement he was selected to serve on the Advisory Board of the National Council on Problem Gambling as an Emeritus member.

Reece greatly enjoyed participating in community theatre and performed on stage with many local theatrical groups. He was nominated for several "Times Drama Awards", winning for the role of Big Daddy in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" in 1995.

Reece also took great pleasure in national and international travel with his wife, Marshall. They enjoyed many of the world's outstanding sights together, but for Reece none was more special than Gaudi's Basilica of the Holy Family in Barcelona and Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel in Rome.

He was very active in The Episcopal Church serving as Senior Warden and Vestryman at Church of the Holy Cross, a many-time Convention delegate to the Diocese of Western Louisiana and Deputy to General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church.

He was appointed by the Governor of Louisiana to the Northwest Louisiana Human Services District Board in 2017, serving as Vice-Chairperson. He received the Outstanding Professional Award given by the Louisiana Office for Addictive Disorders in 1999, was a former Rotarian and previous board member of Shreveport Little Theatre and the Shreveport­Bossier Rescue Mission.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be made to the Louisiana Association on Compulsive Gambling, 1325 Barksdale Blvd., Bossier City, LA 71111 or at www.helpforgambling.org or to the charity of the donor's choice.

The family will hold a private service at Church of the Holy Cross in Shreveport, Louisiana at a later date. Officiating the service will be Father Garrett Boyte joined by Reverend Kenneth W. Paul and Reverend Mary Richard.

Published by Shreveport Times from Jul. 24 to Aug. 6, 2020.
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Memories and Condolences
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Not sure what to say?





Mr. Reece was a very good counselor to the casinos families.

Flora

Friend

August 7, 2020

Good game, Coach.
Regards,
Tom

Joe Todaro

Friend

July 30, 2020

This Man has impacted thousands of lives. I will truly miss him but the passion he carried lives on in many of us and that's a true legacy

William Appel

Coworker

July 29, 2020

I was shocked and saddened to learn of Reece’s passing. Marshall, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Jane Jackson

Friend

July 28, 2020

I was shocked and saddened to learn of Reece’s passing. Marshall, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Jane Jackson

Friend

July 28, 2020

I knew Reece as a mentor at the gambling association.. Faulkner described a character in Mosquitoes saying he was always an artist except when he was sculpting, and similarly Reece seemed to be best at promoting his programs when he wasn’t trying. I could hear his satisfaction when talking about winning a contract to help compulsive gamblers and their families, his sadness and even anger when projects weren’t fruitful, his care for those who partnered with him in this.

Time with Reece was a gift. Instead of responding to the difficulty of helping addicted people with an attitude of cynicism, Reece would engage you in a conversation about a favorite play, an artillery celebration while in the army, or meeting Janis Joplin’s band.

He was not a simple man. He would tell you not to ask for permission, then you’d overhear him reciting the desiderata by heart. He would tell you when it was tough to just put your head down and push, then he’d prepare you for grief upon losing a loved one.

Maybe my favorite thing about Reece (outside of our shared appreciation of petit fours from Julie Anne’s) was the way he would sign his letters, “regards.” At that time I came across the first line in Westminster catechism: “the chief end of man is to glorify God.” To glorify God is not simply to worship, but to have regard for, to appreciate and to enjoy, while God has regard man as lovable in spite of his many mistakes. Reece helped teach me through this word (regard) how to enjoy God, as Reece enjoyed life.

Thank you, Reece.

Morris

Coworker

July 27, 2020

I am so sorry for your loss.
My parents Frankie and Mary Sparks grew up with Reece in Copperhill and I pray they are having a grand reunion. My family and I will and have pray for y’all

Mark Sparks

July 27, 2020

Loved this man more than I can say......best boss/human/friend anyone could have! He was one of a kind to say the least....and we were all blessed to be in his world....Love to Marshall & the family and all his friends at LACG.....

Delia Martin

Friend

July 27, 2020

Reese Middleton was a loyal and dignified friend to all! While he had many talents he was greatly known as a wonderful listener whether it was the 5th step or telling about a recent baseball game. His active listening skill was always on call! Reese cared for mankind.

Friend

July 27, 2020

I had the pleasure of working with Reece at LACG. He was a brilliant and compassionate human being, always showing concern for his staff and lightening the office mood with his wit and amusing tales. I am honored to have known him. My deepest sympathy to his beautiful wife and family To God be the Glory!

Iberia Watley

Coworker

July 27, 2020

Reese was a larger than life wonderful person who will never be forgotten. Our sympathy to you Marshall and your family at this time.

Earleen and Ronnie Bergeron

Friend

July 27, 2020

It broke my heart to hear of Reece's passing. He was such a wonderful, kind, gracious man. Reece was a true Southern gentleman. I will always love you my dear friend. My deepest sympathy and prayers to Marshall and family.

Bobbie Thompson

Friend

July 26, 2020

The Final Salute

“Brothers and Sisters-in-Arms”, Military men and women down through the centuries, have traditionally exchanged “Hand Salutes” as a sign of recognition and as a way to render courtesy and respect one to another.

This “Hand Salute” is the last that we shall render to Reece Middleton our “Brother-in-Arms”. To his family it symbolizes the love and respect that we have for Reece. To Reece it is rendered as a symbol of honor and gratitude to thank him for the devoted and selfless service he rendered to his country while serving as a field artillery officer in the U.S. Army. Reece, we commend you for your honorable military service. You are a true patriot, who served with honor and distinction. You upheld the finest qualities of an American patriot warrior: courage, commitment, generosity, sacrifice, love and devotion to family and country. You were a true friend. We bid you a sad farewell. You will be dearly missed from among our ranks. Be at Ease. Rest in Peace.

On behalf of the 881 military veteran Legionnaires of Lowe-McFarlane Post 14 of the American Legion in Shreveport and the 227 veterans of VFW Post 4588 in Bossier City, Louisiana, we extend our sympathies and our condolences to Reece’s family and loved ones.

Bernt Ebbesson, Commander, American Legion Post 14
5315 South Lakeshore Drive, Shreveport, LA 71109

Ron Delaney, Commander, VFW Post 4588-
1004 Jeter Street, Bossier City, LA 71112
For the Commanders, Carroll R. Michaud

C

Served In Military Together

July 26, 2020

I've known Reece for most of my adult life. Reece was a kind man and never forgot a face and the name to go along with it! My condolences to all his family. Heaven gained an angel and Reece finally got his wings.

Carol Robertson

Friend

July 26, 2020

So sorry to hear of Reece's passing. Whenever I think of him, my mind immediately goes back to his brilliant performance as Matthew Harrison Brady in East Bank's production of Inherit the Wind. There was none better! I will always remember his many fine performances both on-stage and off! Rest in peace, Reece. You will be missed.

Robin McDowell

Friend

July 26, 2020

Reece was a great actor "friend" to me. We shared many a stage together and I always enjoyed working with him. He was always so gracious to me and even when we hadn't worked with each other we would see each other and it was like we had just seen each other the day before. I truly enjoyed his friendship and sense of humor. My prayers go out to you, Marshall. I will pray that God gives you that cushion that only He can give. A huge loss for Shreveport.

Paul Tinker

Friend

July 25, 2020

Marshall I am so sorry for your loss. Reece was a wonderful man and helped so many. My prayers and love go out to you and your daughters.and all the family.

Jeanne Bain

Friend

July 25, 2020

He was my angel. I loved him dearly. CORE saved my life and many others. I’m so grateful to be one of the ones to benefit from his life’s mission. What a wonderful person.

Kimberly F.

Friend

July 25, 2020

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