Dale James Reese, 86 of
Perkins, Oklahoma passed from this life on Monday, February 19th, 2024 in hospice surrounded by the loving presence of his children. He was born July 3rd, 1937 in Vici Oklahoma to his parents, Elsie Gertrude (Holcomb) Reese & Samuel Haul Reese. As a child Dale grew up as the youngest of 5 all female siblings and worked on the family ranch in Western Oklahoma near Woodward. At 17, just out of high school Dale toured as a drummer with Lefty Frizzell and got to run in the same circles with Glen Campbell, and Bob Wills & the Texas Playboys. Dale met his first wife, Barbara Ann Clothier on the country music scene with the band Hurshel Clothier & The Oklahoma Travelers and had 5 children with her. He toured with bands all over the Southwest and played at the New Mexico State Fair multiple years in a row as well as Cain's Ballroom. Dale had many business ventures including a towing service, and machine shop, and ended up landing a long-time career as a production manager at Baker Oil Tools (now Baker-Huges) circa 1979 and retired from Baker in 2000. He met his second wife, Aletha Ann 'Letha' Jones, at Dailey's Restaurant in Claremore and they married on Valentine's Day in 1982. He filled the shoes of father to Letha's 2 children and they were happily married for 37 years until Aletha passed in 2019. Dale loved being outside, wearing cowboy boots, watching the Green Bay Packers and Cardinals games, listening to classical country music, and being with his family and his beloved pets he had over the years. He enjoyed animals and would make friends with the area raccoons and feed them at night. He was fascinated by the Oklahoma weather and had been known to chase a few tornados in his past.
Dale is survived by his children Debbie Mejia and her husband Bill of
Perkins, Oklahoma, Sherrie Kreger and her husband Kevin of Ponca City, Oklahoma and Linda Pool of
Perkins, Oklahoma, Dave Reese of
Perkins, Oklahoma, Chandra Valkyrie of Tulsa Oklahoma, and Christina Ennis of Bixby, Oklahoma 11 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild, and many nieces, nephews, friends and extended family members. He recently became friends again with his first wife, Barbara Barnes of
Perkins, Oklahoma.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Letha Ann Reese, his daughter Karen Diane Reese, his son in law Frank Pool.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 22nd, 2024 at Floral Haven Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 23rd, 2024 at Floral Haven Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor James Lacey officiating.
Burial will take place at Floral Haven Memorial Gardens.