James Michael Reece

SERVICE DATE HAS BEEN CHANGED - SEE BELOW* James Michael “Mike” Reece, 72, set sail peacefully from this earth to sing with the Angels in heaven on September 6, 2018 at the Hospice Center in St. Petersburg, FL with his two sons by his side. On August 16, 1946 there was a very special mold made for a unique human being. The mold was used very effectively to create one of the most gregarious and fun loving people this world has ever seen. Afterwards, the mold was broken into many little pieces as there was never ever to be another just like this one. J Michael Reece was born. The world had just become a better place because he was in it... and he was only a few seconds old. Dona Gambill Reece and James Benjamin “Bennie” Reece of Winston Salem and St Pete Beach, FL were the proud parents. He was larger than life in so many ways. His life story is one of legends, Love for family and friends and a sincere passionate LOVE for life itself. He lived his life as a risk taker and innovator, as a True loyal friend and confidant… as a wise and loving father and family man and as someone who never ever met a stranger… He was humble and sincere and truly truly loved his family and friends more than anything. While growing up in Winston-Salem, NC and St. Pete Beach, Fl, Mike developed a love and passion for motorcycles, fast cars and fast boats as a very young man…and he really enjoyed life, no matter what was going on good or bad. His entrepreneurial successes shined in many different businesses over a 50 year period. Starting out laying tile at Carolina Marble and Tile in the mid 60’s, he had many other jobs in the early years including mixing concrete, hanging mufflers and doing some stints making cigarettes at RJ Reynolds. He later excelled as he moved into sales starting out selling vacuum cleaners door to door, moving into car sales and eventually opening his own Home Improvement Company in 1972 named Reece Builders, which is still thriving today in the Winston Salem, NC and the St Petersburg, FL areas. Other entrepreneurial highlights included being a NASCAR team owner in the old BUSCH Series with the team winning Rookie of the Year honors in 1998 with driver Andy Santerre. He was also in real estate development, Yacht Brokering and had a lot of fun creating and owning Twisters Bar at Lake Norman back in the early 90’s. He was a member of the 1964 Gray High class in Winston Salem, NC and also has many friends in the 1964 Boca Ciega High Class in St Pete Beach, FL having lived in the area from age 7-16 yrs old. He is survived by his brother, Gary Reece and wife, Linda; sons, Randy Reece and wife, Melyn; Michael Reece, Jr and wife, Maggie; grandchildren, Lily and Ben, nephew Brad Reece and wife, Lesley and many other loving family members and friends. THE DATE HAS BEEN CHANGED: We will be having a family and friend gathering from 3-5pm in Winston Salem, NC on Saturday, September 22nd at Hayworth-Miller on Silas Creek Parkway followed directly by a Celebration of Life Party at a location to be determined. More details will be available through the Hayworth-Miller website www.hayworth-miller.com Online condolences can be made at CaringBridge – www.caringbridge.org/visit/mikereece

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Suncoast Hospice Care Centers of Pinellas County FL – www.suncoasthospice.org/online-donations .Thank you all for your condolences and well wishes… your outpouring of support has been truly amazing and is very much appreciated. We are sincerely humbled to have so many loving friends and family like you in our life. Much love to all.