**Joe Reese**

Joe Reese, beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away on September 10, 2026, at the age of 88.

Born on August 22, 1938, in Salt Lake City, Utah, Joe was the only child of his beloved mother, Ann Zagarich, whom he loved very much. Throughout his life, Joe took great pride in protecting and caring for his mother.

As a young boy, Joe took a great interest in all things electronic. He especially loved taking things apart, figuring out how they worked, and then putting them back together. At the age of 10, he built his own radio using an oatmeal box, old copper wire he found lying around, a battery, and a crystal set as a diode. As he grew older, his love and proficiency for mathematics and physics continued to grow. He eventually earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Utah, followed by a PhD in physics.

Joe also developed a love for music at an early age. At nine years old, he began playing the accordion. He became so good at it so quickly that families throughout the neighborhood would invite him into their homes to put on performances for them. Teaching accordion lessons became one of his first jobs. Later, he studied under a master accordion player to further refine his skills and eventually became his teacher's number-one student. Joe went on to win numerous competitions, including the music competition at the Utah State Fair. As a teenager, he was even invited to perform on The Ed Sullivan Show. He was also self-taught on the guitar, piano, bass viola, and ukulele.

Joe graduated from Granite High School in the class of 1956. Although he spent much of his time working to support himself and care for his mother, he still excelled in school. He participated on the drill team, ran track, and played tennis.

In August 1961, Joe married Beverly Klein, and together they raised six children. They eventually divorced. In 1994, he married Coralyn See, and they remained together until her death in 2017.

Joe's career took him to many diverse and fascinating places. He worked on satellite systems in Germany, hospital X-ray machines in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and radar systems at the China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station in the Mojave Desert. His work also took him to the mysterious and highly classified world of Area 51.

Joe's specialty was radar, and he spent much of his career applying that knowledge to top-secret military projects for the Department of Defense. Because of the classified nature of his work, he was often unable to tell his family exactly what he was doing. Once a project became public knowledge, however, he could finally acknowledge that he had been involved. One of his projects at Area 51, for example, involved designing the radar system for the stealth bomber.

Between military contracts, Joe explored many other ways to make a living. He tried his hand at car sales and real estate and even owned his own title company. He was also a member of Mensa International, a global organization for people with exceptionally high IQs.

In his later years, Joe found great joy in nature. He loved to hike, camp, and fish. He also loved fixing things and was convinced there was nothing he couldn't figure out. He had a naturally curious mind and a determination to understand how things worked.

Most of all, Joe loved his family. He took great pride and joy in the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren and loved watching them grow and succeed.

Joe was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Coralyn Reese, and his eldest son, Cory Reese.

He is survived by his children, Tammy Mansell, Debbie (Jim) Hass, Candy Piper, Dori (Jeff) Dudley, and Carlan (Kristen) Reese, as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A viewing will be held Friday, September 18, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. Dimple Dell Road, Sandy, Utah.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 19, at noon at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1834 E. Creek Road (7995 South), Sandy, Utah. A short viewing will be held immediately prior to the services, from 11:00 to 11:45 a.m.