Lowell D. Reese

Online Obituaries for Frankfort, KY Lowell D. Reese, 76, of Frankfort, died peacefully April 15, 2016. He is survived by his beloved wife of 46 years, Carol Rowe Reese, and son, Tracy Huffman (Conny), and grandson, Luke, of Frankfurt, Germany, and by a sister, Linda (Ermel) Mullins, and a host of nieces and nephews. Lowell was predeceased by his parents, Palmer and Ollie Reese, and by three sisters and one brother. Lowell was born March 12, 1940 and grew up in a coal camp in Pike County. He graduated from Hellier High School and earned a bachelor of arts degree in history from Berea College. After college, Lowell volunteered for the U.S. Army and served proudly in Vietnam as a lieutenant in the 1st Infantry Division, known as The Big Red One. Lowell was wounded in combat and earned the Purple Heart and was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge. Upon returning from service, Lowell worked for Mobil Oil, then began a career in the "Chamber business," as he called it, and was chief lobbyist for the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, then president of the state Chambers in South Carolina and Arizona. Lowell served as the Kentucky state director of President Gerald Ford's 1976 re-election campaign, and four years later was an architect of U.S. Rep. Hal Roger's first election to Congress, which is now viewed as part of the vanguard that shifted Kentucky politics from blue to red. In 1990, Lowell started Kentucky Roll Call, a political insiders newsletter, and in 1995 he restored The Kentucky Gazette, the commonwealth's first newspaper, which originally was published in Lexington in 1787. His meticulous reporting and solid writing earned the respect of the audience he served; he was not afraid to chase any story. Work is only part of the legacy Lowell leaves to his family and friends. He was kind and generous - always making time for a long Friday afternoon chat in his office. Lowell was a conservative and believed in the fiscal values of the Republican Party, but he never judged others for their beliefs and never thought he was better than someone else. He had a great sense of humor and a hearty laugh. Lowell's legacy also is found in those who were lucky enough to have him as a teacher and a mentor. He taught us to be fair and kind and generous, to stand up for our principles, and to always treat others with dignity. He taught us to dream, and then he launched us into our own successes. He was passionate about Kentucky and about making the state a better place, and his presence made it so. "A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature." Ralph Waldo Emerson. Funeral Information A celebration of Lowell's life will be held Thursday, April 28, from 5-8 p.m. at Serafini Restaurant in Frankfort. Donations Link: Wounded Warriors