Reverend John Dudley Reese III

Ward Wilson Funeral Home and Crematory

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Posted by: Ward Wilson
Date: Mar 25 2022 7:59 AM

Born in Montgomery on May 14, 1929, John Dudley Reese III went to be with his Lord on March 23, 2022, in Dothan with his wife, children, and grandson praying by his side.

As the stock market crashed in 1929, his parents rejoiced in their gift from God since they had been told they would not have a child. John D, as he was known to all, grew up in Montgomery in a loving home where his parents, John Dudley Reese Jr. and Mary Pharr Reese, set a godly example for him and taught him to set his sights on things that have lasting value.  This would characterize his life focused on serving and loving His Lord Jesus Christ and others.

A wonderful preacher and gifted storyteller, John D loved being raised in central Alabama with his brother, Samuel Pharr Reese, and sister, Mary Louise McDowell.  He delighted in recounting memories of his beloved chicken, Miss Speckle, who was given to him at birth and lived to be 18. His conversation and preaching were filled with tales of eating watermelons from a cold stream at his grandfather’s farm in North Carolina, putting snakes in the women’s outhouse at church, attending racially integrated Christian gatherings in the 1930s and watching his mother pray all night on her knees and his father serve as clerk of the session at First Presbyterian Church. He had lifelong memories of his parents and their teaching and examples including evening devotions led by his father. 

After graduating from Montgomery’s Lanier High School, he attended The University of Alabama and Rhodes College in Memphis graduating with a BA in Philosophy followed by a Bachelor of Divinity from Louisville Presbyterian Seminary.  He enjoyed his seminary days and his weekly preaching in five small churches in rural western Kentucky.  In 1954, he was chosen to do doctoral work at the citadel of Presbyterianism in Edinburgh, Scotland and in God’s providence was allowed to commence his doctoral work at the Waldensian Seminary in Rome, Italy.  After language study in Florence, he arrived in Rome where he would meet a Waldensian pastor’s daughter on a memorable winter evening while dining at the seminary.  That night he wrote to his brother that he had met the girl he was going to marry and a year and a half later, he would board an ocean liner with his bride Gemma, to take Italy’s greatest export to Ozark, Alabama.  He loved her more than life itself and their marriage would serve as an example of Christian marriage for multiple generations to follow.

Warmly welcomed in Ozark, he saw the Presbyterian Church of Ozark grow steadily over his 17 years of ministry affecting hundreds of lives across the world as the church experienced steady turnover due to the nearby Fort Rucker military base. In addition to the Ozark Church, he pastored the historic Union Presbyterian Church in rural Dale County where he preached in the afternoons on Sunday.  In 1972, he moved to Dothan where he founded New Covenant Christian Fellowship a church rooted in the Reformed tradition and theology with charismatic worship and ministry.  His ministry flourished and he was a regular conference speaker and mentor to pastors and congregations throughout the southeastern United States.  His home and table would be a regular stop and a place of ministry for thousands who would often stay the night while enjoying a lovingly prepared meal and welcome.

His priorities in life were his great Redeemer Jesus Christ whom he served faithfully with all his strength; his beloved family in whom he invested his love and resources; and the church where His Lord called him to serve and minister.   His great passion for his four children was that they would know and love the Lord Jesus Christ. A marvelous father and shepherd in the faith, he challenged each of them to walk together with him and their mother as partners and co-laborers in the Gospel.

John D lived a rich whole life filled with interesting experiences as a chicken farmer, door to door salesman, elementary school teacher and author as well as more than seven decades as a minister of the Gospel.  He served effectively as an officer and director of numerous community and non-profit organizations. An avid and lifelong student, he read constantly and enjoyed travel throughout Europe and the Middle East and across the United States.   He fulfilled the Great Commission on a daily basis, sharing the Gospel with whomever he encountered.

No one who met John D could forget him since he had a genuine interest in and caring heart for people.  His empathy for and love for those he met led them to confide in him and give him information that would rarely be imparted to anyone else.  Throughout his life there were hosts of people who considered him to be their best friend, the father they never had, and the only person who truly cared for them.   Those in need knew that he would not refuse them as he generously gave of his time and resources to those who were in want.  The outcast, the misfit, the friendless, the stranger and the unfortunate always found a place at his table and in his heart.  Those facing a crisis called him first, often late at night from the hospital or the police station. Frequently, those calling were not members of the church he was pastoring. He loved in the way that he was taught by His Savior, freely giving from his resources. He was truly a pastor’s pastor and a shepherd who willingly laid down his life for both the sheep entrusted to his care and for those who needed a friend.

He was predeceased by his parents, brother and sister. He is survived by the marvelous love of his life and bride of 65 years, Gemma Coisson Reese; his four greatly beloved children and their spouses each of whom he considered as his own child, John Dudley Reese IV and his wife Julie, Gemma Reese Fowler and her husband Mark, Mary Virginia Reese Sommer and her husband Ron, and Paola Reese Bass and her husband Stanley; seventeen grandchildren; ten greatgrandchildren; and hundreds of sons and daughters in the faith whom he has had the privilege to serve.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to New Covenant Christian Fellowship, 3500 Reeves Street, Dothan Alabama 36303 and designated for foreign missions.

 

Ward Wilson Memory Hill Funeral Home Cemetery and Crematory

2414 Hartford Highway

Dothan, Alabama 36305

334-792-4194

 

www.wardwilson.com

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