Paul Reese

Paul Mark Reese, 60, of Carlisle passed away on July 7, 2024 after an 8-month battle with brain cancer. He was born March 11, 1964, in Lewisburg, PA. Paul’s vocation as a skilled and diligent artisan in residential and commercial construction earned him wide respect in the building industry. However, it was his advocation for the cause of American liberty and Biblical Christianity which contributed most to his lasting legacy as a true Patriot and soldier of Christ. Paul was a member of Great Hope Baptist Church. In addition to his participation in various patriotic organizations, Paul was a selfless servant to family and friends, an avid reader, and a gardener par excellence.Paul is survived by ten siblings, Cathleen Reese, David Reese, Christine Parker (Peter), Barbara Reese, Roger Reese, John Reese (Beth), Julie Dakin (Christian), Rachael Powell (Harry), Kevin Reese, and Curtis Reese, 26 nieces and nephews as well as 34 great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Carol Reese.A public viewing will be held at Hoffman Funeral Home, 2020 W. Trindle Road, Carlisle, PA on Friday July 12, from 6-8 p.m. On Saturday July 13, a viewing held at 10:00 a.m. and a service at 11:00 at Great Hope Baptist Church, 110 Fern Avenue, Carlisle, PA. Interment will immediately follow at Mt Zion Cemetery, Boiling Springs, PA.

Paul Mark Reese

A Life Well Lived; A Race Well Run

Paul Mark Reese was born on March 11, 1964, and grew up on a dairy farm in central PA as the seventh of eleven children. He quickly developed a reputation for his rambunctiousness and seemed to function on the notion that with so many children running about, his parents couldn’t possibly keep an eye on everyone at once. This spirit of exuberance resulted in Paul’s being caught up in the middle of almost anything exciting happening on the farm—this also led to more than a few spankings.In high school, Paul enjoyed playing sports, making friends, and pulling pranks occasionally. Imagine the shock on Pastor Barrick’s face when he walked into the church nursery one day and found Paul, a senior at GHCS, asleep in a baby crib!After Paul came to a saving knowledge of Christ, he channeled the strengths of his personality to make time shared with him entertaining, yet wholesome.Whatever Paul put his hand to, he gave his full energy, be it work or play. Strong as an ox and possessed with a stubborn streak, Paul expended the energy of two men at the construction site, only to go home and fire up the garden rototiller or grab the pruning shears.One of Paul’s defining character traits was his servant’s spirit.When construction deadlines loomed large, Paul was willing to pull 16-hour work shifts, fashion a remnant of carpet padding into a makeshift mattress in order to grab a few winks of sleep on-site, and then take up his tools again! As a result, houses up and down the Cumberland valley bear the imprint of Paul’s skilled handiwork and dedication to excellence.Paul’s willingness to donate his personal time to help various family members with remodeling projects such as hanging and finishing drywall, and painting--literally through the night in some instances, all the while reciting historical narratives for any who remained awake, won him the respect and deep admiration of all who witnessed such exploits.This same giving spirit allowed him to build strong bonds with his nieces and nephews. They will long cherish memories of family reunions in which Uncle Paul oversaw volleyball matches, 4-wheeler rides, paintball wars, and trips to explore the barn at night—just to name a few examples.Perhaps Paul Reese’s most compelling attribute was his unswerving commitment to Biblical principles, and his determination to apply these to every area of life. In a world filled with social and cultural confusion, it was refreshing to know a man whose spiritual gyroscope did not wobble. While one may not have agreed with every position Paul articulated, no one doubted where Paul stood!This passion for truth led to Paul’s reading voraciously and with great comprehension and retention. Just two weeks before he passed away, Paul directed a family member to look at p. 53 of a certain blue notebook located on a certain bookshelf to find a poem on Valley Forge!He also associated with other lovers of liberty, even reaching to other continents. Peter Hammond of South Africa’s Frontline Fellowship wrote the following:Paul and I traveled many hundreds of miles together as he was my host and transport to many church services, radio and TV interviews, and school meetings. We enjoyed great fellowship together and I found him very like-minded on politics and doctrine. [emphasis added] Paul’s cancer journey was Christ-honoring and admirable on so many levels. A verse which he claimed during this ordeal was Ps. 119:16—Great peace have they which love thy law….”Paul displayed such a peace and regularly expressed appreciation for the medical staff and remained steadfast in his Christian faith to the very end.Mere days before he became unresponsive, Paul joined in (with weakened voice) as family members sang “Blessed Be the Tie that Binds.” He went on to recite verses 2-3 from memory to the astonishment of all in attendance.On balance, Paul was a gifted person who purposed to use those gifts to further God’s Kingdom. His lasting wish would be that each reader would purpose to do the same!