Pete Reeser

Pete could regularly be found holding court at Around the Corner restaurant. If he wasn’t there, you could surely find Pete behind his desk on Campbell Street, anchoring his real estate business in the heart of Downtown Edmond. And, if for some reason he wasn’t at either of those institutions, Pete was probably down the street volunteering at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.

He was a man of many talents and interests, though nothing was more important to him than his faith, his family, his business, and his community.

Pete was born March 23, 1935 in Maynard, Iowa to Ward and Emily Reeser. He graduated from Maynard High School and attended Upper Iowa University.

His life truly began when he met Betty Lou Recker and married in 1955. The industrious pair raised 4 children together: Brad, Carla, Steve, and Kirk.

Pete excelled at everything he put his mind to. Starting as a milkman for the Carnation Milk Company, he eventually created a route so large that Anti-Trust laws and a lawsuit caused the company to abandon the route, leaving Pete ready to shift gears.

Around this time, he had heard a rumor about Oklahoma being a land of opportunity. He and Betty made the decision to move to Oklahoma City in the summer of 1963. They relocated to Edmond the following year.

Pete was hired on with the Sears, Roebuck and Company Store on 23rd and Pennsylvania in the stereo and record department, where he flourished from sales to management. Working at SEARS became a family affair, with Betty soon working at the Downtown Edmond Sears Catalogue store, and the kids joining later.

The family continued working in their various positions at Sears until Pete left in 1978. As Pete told his children, “You’ll never create wealth with a W2”, so he ventured to become his own boss.

Following Betty’s lead, Pete was licensed and went to work as a REALTOR in 1978 and had a sale in his first week. Later, he found opportunity with Keller Williams.

Pete’s 45-year real estate career was illustrious with many accolades and as many special designations behind his name as the National Association of REALTORS offers.

He volunteered his time to nearly every single committee at the Edmond Board of REALTORS, as well as positions at the Oklahoma Association of REALTORS, and even the National Association of REALTORS.

In 2000, his commitments and achievements were recognized by the Edmond Board, winning their highest distinction, the Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2018, his 40-year career was recognized by the National Association of REALTORs, as he was named REALTOR Emeritus.

Pete’s involvement in the community ranged from coaching his sons’ baseball teams, serving on various committees for the City of Edmond, and being an active member in Edmond AMBUCs.

In 2011, Pete married Kathy Reeser and she remained his companion for the last 12 years of his life. Together they traveled, worked, and enjoyed their family.

In recent years, Pete began to physically succumb to his age, losing his sight and eventually becoming bound to a wheelchair. His physical limitations did nothing to dull his vision for his family business, as he was still building duplexes, negotiating leases, and directing the day-to-day details from his room at the Veraden. Because of that vision, he created a family business that will last generations.

Pete is preceded in death by his brother, Duane, his wife, Betty Reeser, his daughter Carla Pribble, and Steve’s grandson Levi.

He is survived by sons Brad, Steve, and Kirk Reeser, grandchildren: Brett and Paige Pribble, Adam Wanner, Aly Schuster, Chase, and Carlee Reeser, great-grandchildren: Isabelle Pribble, Ava, Jojo, and Jaxon Wanner, and Reeser and Vonn Schuster. He is also survived by Kathy Reeser and her extended family.

The Reeser family would especially like to thank those instrumental in his care for the last few years including Dr. Brian Levy, Janet, all of the ladies at Faith, Hope, & Love Companion Care, and Frontier Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Sister BJ’s Pantry, Project 66 Food Pantry, or a charity of your choosing.

Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, Nov. 27th at 6:00pm in the Great Hall of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Memorial Mass service for Pete will be held on Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at 10 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 900 S. Littler, Edmond, OK 73034, with burial to proceed to Gracelawn Cemetery.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.baggerley.com for the Reeser family.