Dr. C. Herman Reece
1929-2024
Charles Herman Reece was born to Charles Crawford and Clara Lela Shaw Reece on October 8, 1929, on a farm north of Carnegie, Oklahoma. In the spring of 1941, Herman was born into God’s eternal family as he prayed and received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. God gave Herman the faith to believe Jesus Christ was God’s virgin-born Son who died, arose, and is coming again. Herman realized that in God’s sight – in Christ, he was clean and pure, as God’s adopted son.
Herman often said that many people invested in his life, to help him grow in Christ and to trust God for every detail of his life. He enjoyed nothing more than helping introduce others to Christ. This began during his time at Anadarko high school and continued throughout his life.
After Dr. Reece graduated from Dental School, he married Mareita Jo Peters Reece on June 26, 1953. He completed a two-year Oral Surgery Residency at Kansas City General Hospital before serving two years in the Army at Fort Leavenworth as an Oral Surgeon. They moved to Oklahoma City so that Herman could do the third year of his Maxillofacial Surgery Residency at the OU Health Science Center. During this time, he performed the first TMJ surgery in Oklahoma.
Dr. Reece became the first part-time Staff Director for the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency Program in 1960. He developed a Master of Science degree program for the residents and secured approval from the Graduate College of the University of Oklahoma. He then secured a three-year National Institute of Health Grant to hire a full-time Program Director. He was appointed to the Anesthesia Department Staff of both the OU Medical School and Dental School. While in private practice, he served several years as Director of Out-patient General Anesthesia for the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency Program. He also served as the first Dental Consultant to the Oklahoma Department of Human Services and secured assistance for patients needing dental and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery care. Through his private practice he continued to serve the surgical needs of Oklahoma City until 1989.
In 1973, Herman was asked to serve as the Oklahoma City Metro Chairman for Christian Businessmen’s Connection of USA (CBMC). This organization helps introduce businessmen to Christ and helps them mature in discipleship to become disciple makers, as encouraged in 2 Timothy 2:2. In 1983, he was invited to join the CBMC of USA Staff as the Oklahoma City Metro Director.
Dr. Reece helped produce the first Annual CBMC Metro Prayer Breakfast in Oklahoma City in April 1984, in the Cox Convention Center. It continues to be one of the major community events each year and is attended by about 1500 business and professional men and women. CBMC leaders offer discipleship training to the interested attendees. In 1991, he began sending a weekly devotional, CBMC FAX of LIFE. It now goes to about 5800 business and professional people each week. In 1994, he began the Annual CBMC Salt and Light Award Dinner, to honor a person the community looks upon as the “Salt and Light” Jesus refers to in Matthew 5:13-16. Herman continued to serve as CBMC Metro Director, Emeritus.
He and Mareita became members of the Northwest Baptist Church family in July 1957. Herman remained actively involved in that church family until Jesus came to take him home, as He promised in John 14:1-3. Mareita predeceased Herman in 2013, after sixty years of a God-blessed marriage.
Herman said his greatest blessing, next to receiving Jesus Christ, was family. He and Mareita were blessed with four children, eight grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren.
Dr. C. Herman Reece was predeceased by his parents; his first wife, Mareita Jo Peters Reece; his second wife, Betty Marlene Welch Reece; a sister, Joyce Reece Milton; and one grandson, Nathanael Charles Reece. He is survived by his sister, Betty Marie Reece Bell; his four children: Marla Jean Reece Raczkowski, Charles Edwin Reece, Don Harold Reece, Nancy Ann Reece VanReece; their spouses; seven grandchildren and their spouses; nine great grandchildren; one niece; two nephews; and his many, many brothers and sisters in Christ.
Herman’s principal life Bible verses were: “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31, “Let your light so shine before men so they will see your good works and glorify God.” Matthew 5:16 “This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24
A public viewing will be offered Friday, May 3, 5:00-8:00pm at Matthews Funeral Home, 601 S Kelly, Edmond, OK. Following a private family interment service, a public memorial celebration will be held Saturday, May 4 at 3:00pm at Northwest Baptist Church, 3030 NW 23rd St, Oklahoma City.
Live Stream Link: www.facebook.com/nwbaptistokc/live
Chaplain Don Reese, your dad, Dr. Reese, truly lived out his faith and a life to follow! Thank you for sharing this wonderful story with us. I’m inspired to follow Dr. Reese footsteps as he followed Christ. Amen 🙏🏽
I loved the numerous times I spent w/Don and his family in their home. I don’t ever remember a time that I saw Dr. Reece w/o a smile. His smile was infectious. He was one of the many people I saw every week @ Northwest – a great Legacy family @ Northwest – while growing up.
Our Integris family shares in your sorrow. Prayers for all of you.
Herman Reece helped change my life as he as so many, he was my spiritual granddad. since 1986, he help me through so much, up and downs of my life, got me going in the ministry. I owe my life to God and Herman Reece. It is leaving a big hole in my life, and will be missed and loved. The Reece family is so blessed to have him for a dad and granddad.
Dr. Reece was as fine a man as I’ve ever had the pleasure to know. I knew his eldest son and daughter all thru public school, but I got to know Dr. Reece personally when he resided at Epworth Villa Retirement community when my mother was also a resident there. I visited with Dr. Reece on multiple occasions over a lunch or dinner at Epworth and he was the Real Deal in every way! I’m saddened by his departure, but I know with certainty he is radiating in the presence and glory of God!
I was honored to know Dr. Reece briefly, but am reaping the benefits of being one of his spiritual grandchildren. A visit by him to my own Paul 33 years ago has had an impact on my life I know I will not understand until I join him in Jesus’ presence. What an incredible homecoming that must have been when he took his first breath of celestial air. I figure him as one among the cloud of witnesses who surround me.
Herman took my brother, Larry, and me under his wing while we attended Northwest Baptist Church in the early 1960s. My mother had four children to raise by herself and did not have the money to provide for a lot of extras. Herman paid for the two of us to attend Camp Hudgens, and I’m sure also did things for us of which we were never aware. He always told me one of his fondest memories was of Larry and me waiting to be picked up one Monday morning to go to Camp and watching us practice casting in the front yard with our new Zebco fishing rod and reels. Later in life, Herman and Mareita led my wife, Glenda, and me in a Crown Ministries financial freedom course, which helped us eliminate our debt and establish healthy spending habits. Needless to say, Herman was one of my heroes in the faith. He always encouraged me in my spiritual growth. I will forever remember the broad smile which always illuminated his face.
Herman has been a dear friend to our family for more than 50 years. When I think of Herman, a smile comes to my face as I remember his contagious enthusiasm, ever-present smile, irrepressible determination, and faithfulness. Herman was an encourager! He devoted his life, talents, and energies to helping every person he met take one step closer to Jesus.
Thank you, Herman, for blessing my life!
Herman, your infectious smile always made me wonder your past. But, I didn’t have to wonder far, because you ALWAYS said, “Smile, because it shows the light of Jesus!”
I didn’t get to know you long enough in my career but I will forever carry your beautiful smile! I’ll see it the sun He sends me each day! I will never forget the last conversation with you!
Until I get to celebrate Him with you, I’ll keep SMILING! Just as YOU taught me!
Smiling until I’m with YOU!
-Lacy Walker
Oh, I’m so sad! Herman had a huge impact on my life. He began mentoring me in 1988 and we were so close ever since. He provided the most amazing, Godly counsel and insight I’ve ever been privileged to receive. So grateful that Herman was in my life to guide me through the deepest valleys and the highest mountaintops. He was so FULL of the joy of the Lord!! I loved him dearly and am so sad that I didn’t know when he died. I love you, Herman and will see you soon!!