In memoriam: Casey Reece, Division of Campus Planning, Infrastructure, and Facilities

Alex Garner

31 May 2024

Casey Reece smiles at the camera while sitting against a wooden fence — Casey James Reece, former plumber steamfitter in the Division of Campus Planning, Infrastructure, and Facilities. Photo courtesy of the Reece family.

Casey James Reece, former plumber steamfitter in the Division of Campus Planning, Infrastructure, and Facilities, passed away on May 13, 2024.

Reece was born on Aug. 30, 1986 and grew up in Newport, Virginia. Upon graduation, he went to Nashville Auto Diesel College to complete his welding degree. While he enjoyed welding, he later obtained his Master Plumbing license. He joined Virginia Tech’s Division of Campus Planning, Infrastructure, and Facilities in July 2019 and worked with the division until Sept. 2023. Reece was a man of many talents and always willing to help a friend.

While Casey held many titles, he was proud to be a father to two boys and one little girl who had him wrapped around her finger. He was the dad that started a nerf gun war just prior to bedtime. Being a giant kid himself, he got out every LEGO piece to build a plane, skyscraper or whatever his boys dreamed of making. He’d even stay up until 2 a.m. just to have it done for them when they awoke in the morning. The Christmas tree never got a proper topper because he was insistent the GI Joe’s in ghillie suits be camouflaged throughout the tree. Many didn’t know, but he was an expert at floral arrangements and would often pick bouquets for his wife.

Reece is survived by his wife Kelly and their children, Mark, Cameron and Lily of Blacksburg, Virginia; his his parents, Mark and Kim Reece of Newport, Virginia and Glenda Wesley of Gretna, Virginia; his brother Drake and sister Angela; his grandfather Barry Reece; and many loving friends, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Reece’s full obituary is available online.

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