Joe Reese

Joe C. Reese, 77, of Hot Springs passed away Wednesday March 13, 2013. He was born February 13, 1936 to the late Dulcie Mae McClung Reese and Henry Freeman Reese in Sheridan. Joe began his athletic career at Little Rock Central High School where he played tight end for coach Wilson Matthews. He was named to All-State and All American Football Teams. He also played forward on the basketball team. In 1955 he arrived at LSU on a football scholarship and was named to the All SEC Freshman Football Team. He transferred to Arkansas Tech where he pitched for the baseball team and was All AIC First Team Football. From there he was drafted to play for Coach Vince Lombardi and the Green Bay Packers. In 1970, Joe came to Hot Springs where he was defensive coordinator for eight years. He then was promoted to head football coach. He also served dual roles as Athletic Director and Dean of Students. He was also head track coach from 1970 to 1979. In 1979, he was named Coach of the Year in Garland County. He was been named President of the Arkansas High School Coaches Association, was a member of the All-Star Coaching Staff, Chairman of All-Star Hospitality Committee and was master of ceremonies every year for the AAA Hall of Fame Banquet. In1989 he was president of the National Federation of Interscholastic Coaches Association. He was the only coach from Arkansas to ever serve in that capacity.. In 1991, he received the National Federation of Interscholastic Coaches Association Citation Award for outstanding contributions to Interscholastic Athletes, only the forth coach ever chosen for a citation from the NFICA in the United States. In 1991, he was named Athletic Director of the Year by the Arkansas Activities Association. Under his direction, there were nine State Championships and thirty-seven outright conference championships. Joe retired as Dean of Students and Athletic Director for Hot Springs School District; a member of Oaklawn Methodist Church; past president of Arkansas High School Association and past president of National Federation of Interscholastic Coaches Association. He was predeceased by his parents and his siblings, Edward, Rommylee, Paul, Tom, J.D. and Frieda. Survivors include his wife, Karen Reese of Hot Springs; one son, Brad (Sara) Reese of Heber Springs; two daughters, Leigh (Karl) Cobb of Bismarck and Angela (Blaine) Venable of Conway; four grandchildren, Tyler & Kate Reese and Dylan & Lauren Cobb and many cousins, nieces and nephews Visitation will be 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Friday at Hot Springs Funeral Home. Services are 12:00 PM Saturday at First United Methodist Church with Reverend Fred Hunter officiating. Burial will follow at Crestview Memorial Park. Pallbearers are Tyler Reese, Dylan Cobb, Gary Jackson, Pat Sherrill, Wallace Snowden and James White. Honorary pallbearers are Hot Springs School District Administration & Staff, Hot Springs School Board, Staff members of AAA, former coaches & players at Hot Springs High School & Russellville High School, members of Wilson’s Tigers, Dr. Randy Hill and Dr. Greg St. John. Memorials have been designated to the Coach Joe Reese Athletic Scholarship Fund at Regions Bank for a deserving athlete at Hot Springs High School.