Harold Michael "Mike" Reese

It is with great sadness that the children of Harold Michael Reese, age 85, share the news of his passing from this life into the glorious presence of his Lord and Savior on Sunday, August 17, 2025. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, August 27, at the Southside Church of Christ (2101 Hemphill St.) in Fort Worth, Texas.

Mike was born in Abilene, Texas on January 3, 1940, to Harold D. and Mildred Cox Reese. Mike's childhood years were spent in Abilene, growing up with many of his Cox aunts, uncles, and cousins. In high school, Mike's family moved to Eastland, Texas, which would have a profound impact on his life because it was in a high school Sunday school class at the Eastland Church of Christ where Mike met the love of his life, Betty Gail Gardenhire. Mike graduated as Valedictorian from Eastland High School in 1958. He matriculated to Texas A&M University, where he joined the Corps of Cadets and was one of the handlers for Reveille, but he left A&M after one year to join Betty at Abilene Christian College. While at ACC (now ACU), Mike played on the golf team and earned a bachelor's degree in Accounting. On May 29, 1960, Mike married Betty, his high school sweetheart, and the two of them graduated from ACU and started their family.

Mike's first job out of college was on the audit team of Arthur Andersen in Dallas, Texas. However, in 1963, he was part of a group that would open the Fort Worth office of Arthur Andersen. Mike had a long and interesting career as a CPA, and later as a Chief Financial Officer, working for various companies such as Leonard Enterprises, Euratex Oil & Gas, Gerad Petroleum, ESL Investments, HBK Investments, and Highside Capital Management.

Mike and Betty were very active in their church, the Altamesa Church of Christ, where they reared their three children, taught Bible classes, pioneered Altamesa's first children's worship program and where Mike served as both a deacon and an elder for many years. Their closest and dearest friendships were made at church. Mike was active in the Financial Executives Institute and gave back to his community through youth mentoring with Junior Achievements and the North Texas Community Foundation, where he served on the board. Through the years, Mike enjoyed travel to numerous countries around the world but was especially fond of Colorado, New Mexico and Nantucket. He took great joy in raising schnauzers, particularly giant schnauzers, one of which was a show dog that made it to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City and won best of breed. As a Father, he was famous for not letting anyone sleep-in, driving across the country on epic family road trips, early Sunday morning donut runs before church, waiting impatiently for the rest of his family to get in the car and for insisting we all rush out of church "to beat the Baptists to lunch."

He was preceded in death by Betty, his wife of 49 years, his parents, his brother, David Reese, and grandson, Walker Reese. He is survived by his second wife, Lauren, his son and daughter-in-law, Dan and Tamara Reese (Fort Worth, TX) his son, Tim Reese (Austin, TX), and his daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and Mike Melancon (Stillwater, OK). He is also survived by four grandchildren, Keller Reese and his wife Wesley, Connor Reese and his fiancé, Katie Matson, Maddie Reese and Margaux Melancon, and one great-granddaughter, Crosby Reese. He is also survived by Lauren's children and grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Betty Reese Memorial Scholarship Fund at Fort Worth Country Day (4200 Country Day Lane, Fort Worth, TX 76109), an endowed scholarship established by Mike in Betty's memory, the Rutledge Cancer Foundation (5608 Malvey Ave., Suite 306, Fort Worth, TX 76107) or a charity of your preference.