Judge Reece

Judge John W. Reece 76 loving husband father and grandfather passed away on September 20 2010. Judge Reece was born in West Virginia on Oct. 5 1933. He graduated from Parkersburg High School in 1951 and came to his adopted home of Akron Ohio to attend the University of Akron. There he became a member of Phi Kappa Tau and more importantly met his wife Jane Cullen. He received his B.A. degree in Political Science in 1955. Following his undergraduate studies he entered law school at the University of Akron. While in law school he worked as a secret service officer in the Summit County Prosecutor's Office and later as an insurance adjuster. He received his J.D. degree in 1961. Judge Reece began his legal career in Akron with the firm of McGowan Smith & Reece in 1962. During 1963 he served as counsel for the Evans Savings Association and during 1964 worked as an Akron City Prosecutor. From 1965 until 1966 he was an assistant Summit County Prosecutor. Judge Reece returned to private practice in 1966 with the firm of Miller Morris & Reece. From 1970 through 1972 he practiced with the firm of Blakemore Rosen Miller & Norris. Governor John Gilligan appointed Judge Reece to the Summit County Common Pleas Court in 1973. He was elected to a full term on that court in 1974 and was reelected in 1980 and 1986. During his 16 years on the Common Pleas bench Judge Reece was recognized by the Ohio Supreme Court for superior judicial service on numerous occasions. Many who shared this experience with Judge Reece recall his lively criminal call days. Judge Reece was elected to the Ninth District Court of Appeals in 1988 and was reelected in 1994. During his eight years on the Court of Appeals which serves Summit Lorain Medina and Wayne Counties he participated in deciding over 3000 cases and wrote the opinions in over 1000 of those cases. His tenure on the Court of Appeals was marked with a practical approach gained from his trial court experience. Judge Reece retired from the Court on Dec. 31 1998. Judge Reece is a retired Captain in the United States Army Reserve. He has served as a member of the boards of the Akron Arthritis Association Furnace Street Mission Catholic Service league and the West Akron Baseball League. Judge Reece introduced his family to boating on Ohio lakes. Judge Reece and his wife were blessed with lifelong friendships with the 'pot luck' crew and special friends neighbor Jim Geiger and Bailiff Billy Razor. He was an avid reader and enjoyed golfing sporting events winter vacations to Florida with Jane and his family and many activities and events with his grandchildren whom he loved dearly. Judge Reece was preceded in death by his parents and sister Peggy; he is survived by his wife of 54 years Jane; daughter Elizabeth; sons Christopher (Barbara) and Timothy (Terri); grandchildren Colbey Anna Kelly Allison Alec Bradley Megan and Julia; brother-in-law Wayne Vetter and brother-in-law John (Linda) Cullen; and nephews. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday September 24 2010 at 11 AM at St. Sebastian Catholic Church 476 Mull Ave. Interment in Rose Hill Burial Park. Friends may call at Hummel Funeral Home COPLEY 3475 Copley Rd on Thursday from 4-7 PM. Memorial donations may be made to The Saint Sebastian or Saint Vincent-Saint Mary Tuition Funds.