Obituary of Clarence A. Rease

Clarence Allen Rease was born in Pensacola, FL on December 31, 1947 to Willie Moses Rease and Janie Belle Rease (Crutcher), both preceding him in death. He attended the Pensacola Public Schools, attending Washington High School. He relocated to Jacksonville, FL and graduated from New Stanton Vocational School in 1967, after his voluntary entrance into the United States Navy in 1966. He traveled to various overseas destinations in the Navy, including Malta, Copenhagen, and Scandinavia. Clarence received many commendations and honors in the Navy, including recognition from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Eleven in 1970. Clarence was honorably discharged from the Navy in June 1972. Clarence is from a great heritage of Christian faith and music. He was raised in the Apostolic Faith, both his parents being ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Clarence loved God and confessed Christ as his Savior and was baptized in a muddy creek at an early age. He was an avid reader of the Bible and loved to talk about the scriptures with anyone who would engage him. Gospel music was his favorite. He played the piano to the songs of the Walter Hawkins, Edwin Hawkins, Yolanda Adams, Mississippi Mass Choir, and other traditional gospel music. He was a musician and singer with a group called One Accord and recorded a single with an ensemble, The Gate-Way Sound. He loved other music – blues, jazz, and some R & B. From Washington High School drum major to concert band director, Clarence was a self-taught musician who played the piano and the bass, both instruments by ear. Clarence entered the Jacksonville Fire Academy in November 1972 and was a devoted employee to the Jacksonville Fire Department for 29 years, until his retirement in March 2001. While working for the Fire Department, Clarence held several positions: Firefighter on Engines, No.1, 12, 22, and 31, and Rescue No.6. He also served as a Communications Center Dispatcher in the 911 system, Fire Prevention Inspector, Public Education Officer, CATS (Cable Access Training System), and Division Chief of Recruiting and Examining, appointed by Mayor Tommy Hazouri. He retired as the Communications Manager of the city’s 911 Center. Clarence received numerous recognitions and awards as a member of the Jacksonville Fire Department, including a promotion to Engineer after passing a rigorous exam. He tremendously enjoyed his work at the fire department and took much personal pride in it. He met many life-long friends – Winston Nash, Al Campbell, Edward Brackett, and Larry Nicholson – and many others. He continued his formal education at Southern Illinois University, where he received a Bachelor’s degree in 1980. There were many things to love about Clarence. One of them was his wide-range of talents and interests. He was extremely intelligent, had an expansive vocabulary, and strived to be the absolute best at any task or hobby he approached. Clarence was an amazing cook. He loved his kitchen and had every professional cooking apparatus made. He was a fan of Food Network and insisted on preparing the best food from the freshest, cleanest ingredients. Clarence especially loved seafood – catching fish and eating it, preparing shrimp, and even fishing from his boat. He believed in family – feeding them well and making comfortable space for them. He was given to hospitality and caring for others, as evidenced by his feeding the homeless and volunteering at the local hospitals after his retirement. Clarence was an extremely creative and avid photographer. He had a natural eye for candid shots and nature pictures. His natural eye turned into studying the craft and becoming proficient at it. He began Rease’s Photographic Services, where he did personal portraits, wedding photos, and special occasion photography. In October 1990, the Professional Photographers Society of North Florida named Clarence photographer of the month. Additional hobbies and businesses include Rease’s Piano Tuning, property appraiser, and a season of jewelry making. Clarence was a life-long learner and was a collector of books and informational materials to support his learning. He also loved interior decorating and was a collector of antiques, namely Roseville pottery and antique walking canes. He loved to refinish and refurbish wood furniture, and he rebuilt cars as well. After a brief illness, Clarence departed this life surrounded by his loving family and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Joel Sweeney, and three brothers, Alphonso Rease, Charles Rease and Benjamin Rease. He leaves to cherish his legacy, his devoted and loving wife of 25 years, Sonia; two daughters and their spouses, Robyn Rease Burdette (Arnett) of Cranston, RI, and Inga Rease Simmons (James) of Jacksonville, FL; three additional daughters, Michelle Sweeney, Jacksonville, FL, Katrina Rease Jackson, Akron, OH, and Victoria Demps, Atlanta, GA. He is also survived by grandsons, Lawren and Christopher Simmons of Jacksonville, FL, Avery Winters of Akron, OH, and Malcolm Sessions III of Jacksonville, FL; granddaughters, Kara Winters of Akron, OH, Mariah Bulton and Michaela Washington of Jacksonville, FL; and a great grandson, Carter Sessions. Clarence also leaves siblings, his sister, Ethel DeLarge (David) of Pensacola, FL, and brothers, Melvin Williams of Dayton, OH, Willie Rease, Jr. and Oscar Rease of Pensacola, FL. He also leaves his godson, Alexander Willis, Gainesville, FL, and goddaughter, Brianna Hughey, Jacksonville, FL. Many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends will remember Clarence fondly and keep memories of his time with us. A viewing will be held on Friday, January 1, 2016 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Aaron and Burney Bivens Funeral Home, 529 Kingsley Avenue, Orange Park, FL 32073, (904) 264-1233. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 2, 2016 at 11:00 a.m., with a viewing from 10:00 a.m. until the hour of service, at The Church 3:20, 8601 Youngerman Court, Jacksonville, FL 32244.