John Warren Reece's Obituary
Retired Master Chief John Warren Reece, 85, of San Diego, CA, passed peacefully in his sleep on the evening of Wednesday, the 6th of November.
John was born to Retired Lt. Colonel Clarence Warren Reece, US Army, and Frances Mae Heath, a Music and English teacher, June 22, 1934, in Lincoln, Nebraska. He graduated from Templeton Union High School of Templeton, CA in 1953 by distance education from Japan, where his father was stationed. He married Barbara Lou Vaughn Baker at the chapel on Mare’s Island, CA in 1971. They moved to San Diego, CA and lived there together where they raised two children.
He leaves as his legacy one living child: Patricia Reece. He also leaves to cherish his memory four grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. His family remembers him as a deeply loving, hard- working, deliberate man, with a profound sense of duty to both kin and country. Honor, Courage, and Commitment were the foundation of both his public and private life.
He was preceded in death by his wife Barbara, son John, and his younger brother Robert.
John served his country and retired with the rate of Master Chief Fire Control Technician in the United States Navy. Over the time of his 22-year enlistment, Master Chief Reece served over six years on foreign assignment and earned numerous awards. He was a plank owner on the USS Long Beach (CGN- 9). Master Chief Reece was so respected and beloved by his crew that when he left service from the USS Chicago (CG-11) in 1969, they stole his dress uniform cap and had it bronzed for presentation at his retirement ceremony.
Following retirement from the US Navy, John was a programmer with Burroughs/Unisys until his second retirement in 1989. He continued to serve his country as a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, where he served as the Quartermaster for Post 5985, and a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 552. He also served his community as President of Little League from 1980 – 1982 and was a coach for several years before and after his tenure as the president. John was one of the founding builders of the San Diego Model Railroad Museum at Balboa Park, and he loved camping, fishing, boating, and the New York Yankees.
A funeral is scheduled for [Date], [Time] at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. The family requests that donations be made to the Parkinson’s Association of San Diego at https://parkinsonsassociation.org/.
The family would also like to thank the members of VFW Post 5985 and American Legion Post 552, as well as the staff of Naval Medical Center San Diego for their unyielding support and excellence in service which provided Master Chief Reece the ability to maintain his independence and autonomy during his long battle with Parkinson’s Disease and provided for his comfort and dignity in the final days.
What’s your fondest memory of John?
What’s a lesson you learned from John?
Share a story where John's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with John you’ll never forget.
How did John make you smile?