Gareth L Reese

Gareth Lee Reese, age 92, of Moberly, MO, departed to be with Christ on November 7th, 2024, at his home after a short period of hospice care.

Gareth was born on September 29,1932, at Lintz Lake, IN, to Daisy Avenelle (Metzger) and Thomas John Reese. He graduated from Garrett (IN) High School in 1950, and from Cincinnati Bible College and Seminary with multiple degrees, ending with a Master of Divinity in 1957. In 1957, he moved to Moberly, MO, to establish Central Christian College of the Bible where he taught for more than 65 years. He was ordained into the ministry in 1954 and was a preacher for 70 years. He was the preacher at Ethel (MO) Christian Church, preaching his final sermon there on October 13, 2024. For Gareth, living was all about pointing others to God and serving Jesus.

He married Kathleen E. Beerbower on September 2, 1956, in Hicksville, OH. Gareth, together with Kathy, faithfully served others through decades of personal and professional ministries as an evangelist, professor, author and librarian.

As his former student and fellow professor Dan Schantz once wrote:

“In the classroom, Gareth Reese was The Energizer. His passionate teaching was designed to motivate others to the serious study of God’s word. His classroom presentations were forceful and memorable. Walking into the old Ault Street classroom building where the College began, you could hear Gareth teaching, even if he was at the other end of the building. For whether Gareth was playing basketball or ping pong, teaching or preaching, writing or grading papers, he did it with all his might.

Gareth always carried a heavy load of large classes, and graded his own papers, meticulously. He preached in churches on weekends, and he helped churches that were having special problems.

Only a few of us know how generous Gareth was, helping students and staff who were going through hard times. In fact, he did not speak about this giving, for he did not wish to call attention to it.

Gareth is probably best known for his New Testament commentaries, some 50 pounds of books, which are being used in Bible colleges and churches, by Bible translation organizations and missions. Not only are they the definitive commentaries on the New Testament, but they are also some of the most readable and affordable commentaries available. It is likely that his love of and respect for the Word of God contained in his writings will continue to influence students at Central, as well as teachers in churches across the country and around the world.

Although Gareth had lofty standards for students, he would do anything he could to help students meet those standards. Through the years, there is a long list of those he mentored who then entered the teaching or preaching profession. Many disciples of Jesus, many churches, and Central Christian College have been shaped by the product of Gareth’s academic scholarship and biblical instruction. There are many who, each time they read the Bible or teach or preach, are using what they learned about God and His Word from Gareth Reese.”

He was preceded in death by his mother, Daisy Avanelle (Metzger) Kratzer; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ira and Ardis (Hootman) Beerbower; brothers and sisters-in-law, Loring (Carol) Beerbower, Louise (Burl) Brown, Frances (Phillip) Emanuel, Herbert (Anne) Beerbower, and Dorothy (Tom) Rae.

Gareth is survived by his wife, Kathleen; by his children, Timothy (Kim) Reese, Springfield, MO, and Jonathan (Kathy) Reese, Cedar Hill TX; by his grandchildren, Abigail (Garrett) Steinlage, Overland Park, KS, Courtney Reese, Leawood, KS, and Ian Reese, Dallas, TX; by his great grandchildren, Reese Steinlage and Nora Steinlage; along with many devoted and faithful nieces and nephews.

A funeral service celebrating Gareth’s life is scheduled for Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. at Timber Lake Christian Church (1624 Gratz-Brown St) in Moberly, MO. A visitation with the family will be held prior to that service from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. A private burial service in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Hicksville, OH, will be held at a later date. IN LIEU OF ALL FLOWERS, memorial donations may be sent to Central Christian College of the Bible (911 E Urbandale Dr., Moberly, MO 65270) or to the donor’s mission or missionary of choice.

Because he was faithful to his Lord, Gareth continues speaking to us in our memories – “Live out your Faith. Love Others. Fellowship with Believers. Share your Faith.”

Local arrangements are under the direction of Pathway-Millard Family Funeral Chapel, 411 Union Avenue, Moberly, MO 65270 (660)263-7284. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.pathwaymemorial.com.