Jacob Mathias Reichenstein

A visitation will be held on Monday, August 6th from 6 to 8 PM at Sparkman-Hillcrest Funeral Home, 7405 West Northwest Highway, Dallas, TX 75225. The Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 AM Tuesday August 7th at Christ The King Catholic Church, 8017 Preston Rd., Dallas, TX 75225. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jake's name to the DFOA Scholarship Fund, 2005 Fairmeadow, Richardson, TX 75080.

Jake was born and raised in Dallas and, other than his four years at Notre Dame and his five years in the Air Force, lived in the Dallas area all his life. Jake graduated from Jesuit high school in 1965. He was an Eagle Scout, both in fact and in the way he lived his life. Jake graduated from Notre Dame in 1969 and joined the Air Force. While he was disappointed to be disqualified from pilot training because of his eyesight, he saw the true meaning of life very clearly. He often told the story that he would not have met his wife of 41 years, Emmy, who was also in the Air Force, had he qualified as a pilot. With their first date on Friday, March 13, 1970, Jake and Emmy were married on October 3 of that year and welcomed three beautiful children during their marriage.

In addition to being a dedicated employee at every job he held, including his most recent as Executive Director at Fletcher, Farley, Shipman & Salina, LLP, Jake was a member of the Dallas Football Officials Association ("DFOA") for 38 years. Jake loved officiating high school football games, including the two years he was on a crew with his son, Matt.

In 2001, Jake and Emmy bought a house on Cedar Creek Lake. Jake loved spending as much time as possible there, especially having his grandchildren visit and enjoy the water as a family. His joy in sharing the lake with family and friends is reflected in the fact that several of his grandchildren, when learning of his death, asked "who is going to drive the boat?" Jake is universally described by those who knew him as patient (so patient!!!), kind, giving, forgiving, and strong. He was a wonderful son, a loving husband, a dependable brother, a loyal friend, a supportive father, a doting grandfather and so much more. His life and death have touched so many.

Jake is survived by his loving wife, Emmy Vogds Reichenstein, of Dallas, his son Matt Reichenstein and wife, Paula, of Plano, Texas, daughter Lisa Reichenstein Biasiolli and husband, Kevin, of College Station, Texas, and daughter Della Reichenstein Reed and husband, Dave, of Arlington, Texas. Jake is also survived by six grandchildren who loved him: Hunter Biasiolli (9), Tyler Reichenstein (8), Blake Biasiolli (6), Abby Reichenstein (5), Lyndi Biasiolli (3), and Dave Reed (10 months). Having been raised in a large dual-religion family (Catholicism and Sports!), Jake is also survived by five sisters and two brothers, as well as numerous cousins and nieces and nephews.