C Herman Reece

OKLAHOMA CITY - Dr. C. Herman Reece Maxillofacial Surgeon and CBMC Metro Director 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.