"Chief"

Doug Reece was born and raised in Greensboro, NC, the oldest child of Billie Sherwood and Douglas Reece. He graduated from Page High School in 1969. During his growing up years he developed a love for the water and swam competitively in the city swim league.

Following High School, Doug enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard. From 1970 to 1974, he served in various capacities, including a weather cutter in the North Atlantic and in the Ceremonial Guard at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. After the service, Doug attended Lenoir Rhyne College, Hickory, NC, where he met Jennie Yoder. They were married on September 27, 1975.

In 1978, he enlisted in the Navy. During his career, Doug taught basic navigation, trained recruits, and served aboard three ships. In 1996, he retired off of the USS Whidbey Island in Virginia Beach, VA with the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He received the Navy Achievement Medal twice for his outstanding work. After being discharged, Doug began teaching Navy Junior ROTC at Northwest High School and continued in that capacity until his death.

It was important to Doug to complete his undergraduate degree so he attended Guilford College night school. In December 2000 he completed his Bachelor of Arts. During that period, he served on the selection committee for scholarships in the continuing education at Guilford College for three years, and helped select the Dana Scholarship candidate one year.

 He is survived by his wife, Jennie Yoder Reece, of Greensboro, NC. She has requested that memorials be made to the American Heart Association, Inc., 202 Centreport Drive, Greensboro, NC 27409.

The funeral was held at the First Lutheran Church on Friendly Avenue, Friday, April 20th at 11:00 am. He was buried at sea.