Mr. Craig James Reese

Mr. Craig James Reese, bka Cowboy, aka Big Tex, of Tampa, FL transitioned on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at Lakeland Regional Hospital after a lengthy illness. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 14, 2024, 11:00 am at Ray Willams Memorial Chapel with Pastor Prentiss Davis, Officiant.

Mr. Craig James Reese was born on April 13, 1951, in Tampa, FL to James and Ruby Reese. He was a native of Tampa, FL. He grew up in Lincoln Gardens Subdivision in Tampa. He graduated from Howard W. Blake High School, Class of 1969. He then continued his education at Texas Southern University in Houston, TX. He resided in Houston where he met the love of his life, Cora Jean Johnson. To this union, they were blessed with 2 children. He worked as a Senior Finance Counselor in Houston and later moved back to Tampa to raise his children. He continued to work in the Finance and Insurance industry and later became self-employed. Craig was a great cook, he enjoyed barbecuing his famous brisket and ribs and baking desserts like buttermilk pies, peach cobbler, and other desserts and foods. He also enjoyed socializing with his classmates, family, and friends.

He is preceded in death by: his parents, James and Ruby Reese; grandparents, James Reese Sr. and Tari Reese, and Lucious and Lilly Nelson; and niece, Sumara Henry.

He leaves to cherish his memories: his daughter, Crystal Joy Reese; son, Craig Jerrod Reese; grandchildren, Taraji Cora Cox and Tamir Caden Cox; brother, Randy Reese; sister, Cindy Henry (Louis); brother, Ivan Reese (Angela); uncle, Earnest Reese (Norma); nephew, Donald E. Duff (Tiffany); nephew, Martin Cox; niece, Valencia Hardgrove; Class of 1969 of Howard W. Blake High School; Houston, Tx, and Farmerville, LA family; and a host of cousins, in-laws, other extended relatives, and friends.

Arrangements entrusted to Ray Williams Funeral Home, Rhodes & Northern, Owners.

www.raywilliamsfuneralhome.com 

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