George Reese,

George H. Reese, III, 73, a lifelong resident of Pineville, passed away on Friday, May 29, 2009 at the Pineville Community Hospital. Born in Pineville on December 23, 1935, he was the son of the late George H. Reese, Jr. and Mary Adah Ralston Reese. A graduate from Sewanee Military Academy, he earned his Bachelor Degree from Tulane University and his Masters Degree from Louisiana State University graduating with honors from both programs. He also earned a graduate degree from the LSU School of Banking. His lifelong passion was banking. He was a third generation banker, his grandfather started First State Bank in 1899. Reese started his career as a teller at First State Bank and continued his career at the bank serving in many positions. As Chairman of the Board he guided the bank through many phases of growth until today it has branches from Lexington to Tazewell and is now known as First State Financial. Active in the banking industry he served with many banking organizations including the Kentucky Banking Association and the American Banking Association. Reese was a lifetime member of the First Presbyterian Church where he served many years as Deacon and Elder. An active member of the community, he was a member of the Pineville Hospital Board and served the city of Pineville on many boards including the Pineville Water Board and the Parks and Recreation Board and was a member of many Civic Organizations. Reese had served as the Treasurer for the Bell County Board of Education for many years. He was active with the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival serving in many positions including Director. He was a veteran of the United States Army. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, John Shepphard Reese. Survivors include his wife of 24 years, Polly Couch Reese, daughter, Katherine Reese Capps and her husband, Calvin, step-daughters, Teresa Stewart and her husband, Duane and Melanie Durham; grandchildren, Reese Calvin Capps, Madelyn Grace Capps, George Matthew Capps, Leslie Edmondson, Samuel Caleb Durham and James Cameron Durham, great-grandson, Isaac Edmondson; sister, Veva Harrison and her husband, Paul; nieces, Holly Lyskawa and her husband, Scott, Heather Harrison and Vicki Hendrickson; special friends, Dr. Jerry Woolum, Aubrey Bailey and Bob Grout and a host of other relatives and many, many friends.