Reese Epperson James

Dr. Reese Epperson James of Naples, Florida died on January 31, 2019 in his home with his beloved wife Terra, of 27 years, by his side. Reese had a four year struggle against Alzheimer's yet Reese stayed positive, strong, kind, and concerned always for his family and his wife. Both Terra and Reese wanted Reese to remain at home, but it was becoming very difficult. It was God’s intervention when Reese had severe issues at the end, which led to Avow Hospice providing compassionate care in their home. God blessed Reese and Terra by receiving Reese peacefully, his eyes relaxed and completely closed.

Reese was born in Washington, DC on February 4, 1940. He was raised in Arlington, Virginia by his parents Roy Elias James and Virginia Epperson James, who served our country as Foreign Service Ambassador and hostess in Washington D.C., Guam, Sri Lanka and Taipei, Taiwan. In fact, Reese's first full time job, as a teenager, was as a Senate Page doing errands in the White House for politicians of both parties.

Reese was a good student but he was most proud of his accomplishments as an athlete on the Washington-Lee High School Crew Team. His crew won the Stotesbury Cup in 1957 at Philadelphia. Later that year, they competed for the eight-oared 23rd national schoolboy championship and were victorious achieving the National Scholarlistic Regatta Championship on the Potomac River. Reese's crew was also distinguished by rowing victoriously over the Henley Crew of Great Britain who traveled to the US to row against them. Because of his Washington-Lee High School sports achievements, Reese won a Crew Scholarship to the University of Wisconsin where he graduated with a BS and MS in Chemistry, and earned his MD.

After college, Reese joined the US Navy in the mid 1960's and he served on a ballistic missile nuclear submarine on numerous patrols during the cold war. During this period, he qualified as a submariner, wearing the distinctive insignia of the Gold Dolphins. He also served as a Submarine Medical Officer and while on the long three-month underwater patrols, one of his favorite stories to tell, was when he was a senior in high school, and his rowing crew beat the Naval Academy Phebe Crew at Annapolis, Maryland. That was quite a feat for a high school team to beat a college level team and he jokingly reminded his buddies, who had attended the Naval Academy, of that win. Reese was extremely proud of his service and left in 1969 with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He kept in touch with his fellow submariners, and later began attending reunions in the 1990’s with these Submarine veterans he had served with as a young man. Their group, accompanied by their wives, met every few years at various US locations to celebrate their perseverance as a military unit, and to honor their boat, the USS George Bancroft (SSBN 643). Reese believed these men to be among the most courageous men he had the privilege of knowing.

Upon leaving the Navy in 1970, Reese continued his medical training to pursue a full time career in Medicine. He completed his four year Residency at Mayo Clinic in Minneapolis, Minnesota where he developed his interest and honed his skills in Radiology. Reese went on to practice as a Radiologist for 27 years in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Throughout his medical career, Reese had great empathy and insight for the varied needs of his patients. He was loved and admired by them, and also respected by his peers and management of St. John’s Hospital and Tulsa Radiology Associates. Reese had a profound dedication to the physicians he worked with at St. John’s Hospital and especially for their group of Radiologists. He treasured his memory of one of his retirement parties, sponsored by TRA, Inc., held at Southern Hills Country Club where Reese and Terra were golf and tennis members. Reese felt this event was significant because of the attendance of numerous Radiology Technicians and Nurses who served with dedication and commitment. He always held a very special place in his heart for these employees.

Prior to Reese's retirement, he fought and won a year-long battle against Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma of the stomach and actually returned to work full time for three more years before retiring December 31, 2004.

In 2005, Reese and Terra chose Delray Beach, Florida as their new home. Terra was concerned about Reese's adjustment to retirement after working long hours at the hospital. However, Reese immediately got into full swing, literally, playing doubles tennis, some golf, duplicate bridge, attending strength training classes, and even joining in a weekly Poker night with the guys. A story Reese rarely shared, was he kept a personal record of his poker losses and wins every week. At the end of each year, for four consecutive years, Reese enjoyed a nice profit.

Another Hobby Reese enjoyed was Duplicate Bridge. Along with his long time friend, colleague and bridge partner, Reese won many bridge tournaments and achieved the rank of Platinum Life Master. Ironically, when Reese proposed to Terra, he and his bridge partner (soon to be his best man) had previous plans to travel to Las Vegas for the National Bridge Tournament. Reese persuaded Terra to research venues there, so they could be married in Vegas. That same week, when Reese introduced his wife to his bridge friends and partners, they all encouraged Terra to promote his Bridge and possibly join him in the game. Many years later, after years of studying, Terra was able to play Bridge with Reese, at his level. They enjoyed playing Bridge throughout his Retirement winning multiple bridge competitions together. Reese had a sincere respect for Bridge, and the many talented players he met experiencing Bridge, as well as their organizers, the ACBL (American Contract Bridge League).

In 2011, Reese and Terra relocated to Naples, Florida to a new home in Olde Cypress Country Club enjoying a golf, tennis and fitness membership. Reese continued all of his hobbies, however, doubles tennis, with many different men and women partners and opponents was his favorite. He enjoyed playing tennis for 12 years after retirement.

Another of Reese's hobbies was fast dancing. In fact, this is how he and Terra became a couple and they continued their dancing throughout their marriage. In retirement, they loved attending dances with live music at their Tennis Club where Terra shared Reese, to dance with her tennis girlfriends, since many of their husbands did not like to dance. At the end of his life, his home health aides learned they could calm Reese by playing music and dancing with him.

After 2016, due to his Alzheimer's, Reese was no longer able to play tennis, golf or bridge but he was able to continue rehab and some physical therapy. He would walk to their Fitness Center where he enjoyed private therapy sessions. The last year of his life was very challenging for everyone, however he was able to visit with all of his children, grandchildren and his sister during that time.

Reese remained strong, and outlived his doctor's predicted life expectancy. His steadfast and true character as a man shined through it all and Terra was able to keep him at home and comfortable until his passing. Reese is survived by his beloved wife, Terralynn Campbell Stephens James of Battle Creek, Michigan. Reese's children and grandchildren included 2 daughters, 2 sons, 2 step-sons and 10 grandchildren ranging in age from 23 years to 10 months.

His surviving family includes daughter Elizabeth James-Lipscomb (Mike) with granddaughter Anna Elizabeth of West Bend, Wisconsin; daughter Christine James-Stern (Scott) with granddaughter Madeline Adele of Portland, Oregon; son, Reese “Eric” James (Kristi), with grandchildren Reese Epperson, Parker Renee, Madison Marie, and Rilee Rachelle of Argyle, Texas; son, Brian “BJ” Epperson James (Shanda), with grandsons Nathan Elias and Jacob Michael, and granddaughter Kaitlyn Marie of Jenks, Oklahoma; step-son, Robert Stephens (Mariko), with step granddaughter Mia Rae of Naperville, Illinois; step-son, Todd M Stephens of Hot Springs, Arkansas; two brothers-in-law, Duncan Campbell of Palm Harbor, Florida, and Troy Campbell (Geri Ann) of Brookeville, Maryland; sister, Eileen James Ward of Jacksonville Beach, Florida; niece, Amy Ward Juall, and great nieces Elsa, Wesley, and Celia of Jacksonville Beach, Florida; niece, Carrie Ward Grant (Jason), with great nephews Corbin and Gavin of Salt Lake City, Utah; great niece Lyndall Ward Booth (Jason) and great-great nephew Winston and great-great niece Vivian of Orlando, Florida.

Reese will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Virginia where his parents are buried. Reese will receive a private Naval Memorial Service in the fall of 2019. Service dates will be announced at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his honor to Avow Hospice, 1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples, FL 34105.