Obituary of Howard L. Reese

Howard L. (Sparky) Reese was born on December 20, 1922 in Birmingham, Alabama. He was the youngest of 5 children born to Lyda and Albert Reese. His mother gave him the nickname Sparky at birth due to his breech birth, which fondly reminded her of Sparky the racehorse, who ran backwards. At the age of 10, Sparky was in a bicycle accident and incurred serious injuries that required 15 surgeries to restore him to health. As a result of the excellent medical care and generosity of the hospital and doctor's caring for him over the course of several years, Sparky decided to pursue a career in surgery and developed a life- long passion during his medical career. After graduating from Birmingham Southern in 1944, he married his high school sweetheart, Gene Smith. Gene always said, "Sparky never stood a chance once we met." With the encouragement of Dr. Reynolds, Sparky attended the University of Pennsylvania Medical School. After graduation, he continued his internship and surgical residency under the direction of Dr. Ravdin. Sparky and Gene moved to St. Petersburg, Florida in 1956 where he began his General Surgery career and continued to care for patients in the community for over 50 years. Sparky was on the staff of St. Anthony's Hospital, Bayfront Medical Center, Edward White Hospital, and he was a founding doctor of Palms of Pasadena Hospital where he served as Chief of Staff in the early 1970s. Sparky loved to spend his "free" time thinking how to improve his various life passions. He would happily spend time telling you about improving tennis by abolishing amateurism, he had multiple ways to improve the healthcare system, and many hours were spent working on how to provide medical insurance for doctors as the cost of malpractice insurance soared. From that brainstorming and with the help of his friend, Bill Wallace, they formed the South Pinellas Medical Trust in 1976. The Trust continues today to help insure doctors so that they can continue to practice and care for people in need. When his children took up the sport of tennis, Sparky renewed his interest in playing tennis (He had played number 1 on his high school team). He loved the hours spent at Bartlett Park (now the St. Petersburg Tennis Center) and chaired, for several years, the Caribbean circuit tournament played each year at the center. He served the Florida Tennis Association for decades. He was a District Director, served as President of the FTA from 1972-1973 and as President of the Youth Tennis Foundation in 1976. Sparky received the Merit Award for service in 1973. Sparky always loved to walk outside after a long day in the operating room. After moving to Hidden Acres Way in Seminole, his love of gardening flourished. His roses were magnificent, his oranges and grapefruits delicious and the gardens beautiful. Any plant, tree or flower he nurtured grew and flourished. The crowning glory of his life was his family: wife Gene, children Howard, Patty Ann, Becky and Ed, his 10 grandchildren and his great grandson, Wyatt. Sparky was a gifted surgeon, a good friend to many, a devoted family man, and an optimistic force to all who knew him. There was never a day that dawned that he did not look forward to living. He embraced life and personified all the attributes of love described in 1Cor 13. He will be lovingly remembered and dearly missed. A memorial service celebrating the life of Sparky Reese will be held at 11:30AM Friday, April 11th at First United Methodist Church, 212 3rd Street N. St. Petersburg. A reception will follow at the church. Sparky will be laid to rest at Bay Pines National Cemetery next to his beloved Gene. Donations in memory would be appreciated to the Tennis Foundation of St. Petersburg Inc , 650 18th Ave. S, St. Petersburg, FL 33705, a non-profit organization supporting the St. Petersburg Tennis Center. David C. Gross Funeral Homes is serving the family. Service Information