Gerald "Jerry" Reese

Gerald James Reese was born September 25, 1937, in Des Moines, Iowa the son of Philip and Dorothy (Fitzgerald) Reese. He grew up in Des Moines and attended and graduated from East High School in 1956. After high school he enlisted in the United States Army and was honorably discharged on June 7, 1958. Following his service he continued his education at the University of Iowa before moving back to Des Moines.

He was united in marriage to Nancy Barker on November 28, 1959, at St. Peter’s Church in Des Moines, Iowa. Jerry began his career working for Fuller Brush for a few years before selling insurance for 12 years, then for Bell Real Estate. He opened Reese GoodYear which he owned and operated for 17 years, before going back to selling real estate for First Realty.

Jerry loved spending time with his grandchildren and his puppies, Cookie and Gemma. He also loved watching Notre Dame Football. Jerry enjoyed going to the lake, boating, traveling, being around friends, and having a cold one. Above all God was number one in Jerry’s life.

Jerry died Friday, January 20, 2023, at MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines. He was 85 years old.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Nancy; children, Shane (Barb) Reese, Shelly (Steve) Binnette, Sean Reese, and Shannon (Susan) Reese; grandchildren, Amanda (Wes) Harper, Ashley (Jorge) Corte-Reese, Haley, Reese, Danielle and Bryce Binnette, Charlie (Erin) Reese, Chelsea and Selena Reese; great-grandchildren, Aubrey and Maddie Harper, Odin Corte-Reese, and Baylee and Brynnlie Reese, and many nieces and nephews.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, grandson, Billy Reese; brother Jack and Dick Reese, and sister, MaryAnn Reese.

Funeral Mass for Jerry will be held at 11:00 AM, on Thursday, January 26, 2023, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Waukee. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Wednesday, January 25, 2023, at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home & Crematory in Urbandale. Interment will be at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter at 12:30 PM. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Des Moines Catholic Worker.