Thomas L. Reese, 83, Air Force Vet., enjoyed golf, flying

Thomas was born in Elyria on February 21, 1920 as the first of four children (brother Robert and two sisters, Helen and Lois) by father Edward and mother Mildred. Thomas graduated from Elyria High School and shortly thereafter completed a two year degree from the family run Elyria Business College.

After a short time working at Write Paterson Air Force Base Thomas enlisted in the Army Air Corps and began pilot training. Thomas earned his wings in 1941 as a second lieutenant with a training instructor certificate in multi-engine aircraft. Thomas entered the war as a member of the 8th Army Air Corps 388th bomber group. During his 13th mission Mr. Reese’s B-17 was shot down and he became a prisoner of war in Luft Stalag 1 for approximately 15 months before being rescued by allied forces. As a result of his heroics in Germany Thomas earned the Flying Cross Medal of Honor. Thomas continued flying in the air force reserves following the war and was honorably discharged with the rank of captain in 1948. As a civilian, Thomas bought a small airplane and enjoyed flying family and friends around the Cleveland-Sandusky areas. Thomas married Geraldine M. Kotz in 1956 and had one son, Thomas Scott in 1958. Thomas worked briefly as a shop supervisor with Bendix Brake Systems before taking a lasting and fulfilling job in sales with the Brown Fintube Company of Elyria. Thomas and his family moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1977 to continue in the Fintube industry. In 1983 Thomas and his wife moved once again but this time to Houston, Texas, where he continued working in the industry as a contracts administrator. Thomas enjoyed golf, fishing, and pinochle with family and friends. Thomas retired in 1997 and lived with family (son and daughter-in-law) nearby until his passing.

Thomas is survived by a son Thomas and daughter-in-law Janine (Seabrook, TX) and his loving sister Lois Connor (West Palm Beach, FL). He was preceded in death by his wife Geraldine in 1994, brother Robert and sister Helen and his parents.

Friends may call at the Busch-Burmeister Family Chapel, 32000 Detroit Road, Avon from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Friday, February 13, 2004. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home Saturday, February 14, 2004 at 1:00 p.m. Rev. John Butchko, pastor of Avon Untied Methodist Church will officiate. Interment will follow at Elmhurst Park Cemetery, Avon, where V.F.W. Post #9871 of North Ridgeville will conduct military honors. Following the committal services a luncheon will be served at the funeral home.