"When an opportunity is given to you, never turn it down. You can only live life once. Live it to its fullest."
Lots of love,
Reese
Obituary
Reese Wood McSpadden of Vail, Arizona passed away suddenly on February 2, 2024, creating an enormous loss for all of those who knew and loved him.
Reese was born in Tucson, Arizona on June 25, 1994, to Robin & Doug McSpadden. He was the sweetest little boy who grew up to be an incredible young man with a heart of gold and a passion for travel. After graduating from Sabino High School in 2012, Reese graduated from Central Michigan University with a degree in Sports Management and Marketing before beginning his journey of work and travel.
Handsome, funny, sweet, full of curiosity and adventure, Reese was so much more than the best son. He was a loyal friend, beloved grandson, dear nephew, and cool cousin. He could light up a room with his quick wit, infectious laughter, and genuine kindness. His family, friends, and colleagues remember him as “a caring, thoughtful, hilarious person who truly made the world a better place. He was generous, patient, loyal, and personable.”
Reese's parents instilled a love of travel and adventure and he had seen much of the United States as well as several countries across three continents. The awe-inspiring views and incredible hikes and kayak excursions fueled his passion for nature and exploring even more. Fiercely independent, Reese took solo trips to Zion and Bryce National Parks in 2021 and New York City in 2022, which included attending The Chainsmokers and Hardwell Concerts. Reese ultimately fulfilled a dream of traveling to Belgium to attend Tomorrowland – not once (solo in 2022), but twice, which included a three-week European adventure with his dearest friends Ben, Maddie and Anna in the summer of 2023. It was everything he could have imagined and more. (See REESE’S ADVENTURES below!)
He had a great eye for photography and captured many spectacular sunsets, breathtaking photos during his travels, and countless pictures of his puppy, Quill. The sunset above was one of many taken by Reese.
Reese's selfless, compassionate nature led him to be an organ and tissue donor. His gift of donation exemplifies his generous act of giving to others. He would hope that you consider the same and register to donate at https://registerme.org.
Reese will be forever loved and greatly missed by his parents, his grandparents Conrad & Cheryl Code and Keith & Claudia McSpadden, Aunt Beth & Uncle Jon Nicholas, Aunt Laurel Clarke, Aunt Maureen McSpadden, Aunt Susan St. Germaine, and his cousins. He leaves behind his dear pup, Quill, who now gives all his love and kisses to Robin & Doug and everyone that visits them.
Contributions in the memory of Reese can be made to The Humane Society, The National Park Foundation, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and Donate Life America. He would be thrilled if you planted a tree in his honor and/or practiced gratitude for nature in your travels! For your kindness of contribution and reflections of Reese during your own travels, he would surely say, “Lots of love!” And don’t forget to try a good beer (or two) at a local brewery because “drink local!” Oh, and find a good coffee/pastry shop and enjoy the morning sun!
REESE’S ADVENTURES: In 1996, Reese began camping at 22 months of age starting with a trip to Patagonia, AZ before venturing to SW Colorado and NW New Mexico/Chaco Canyon NHP with Grandma Cheryl and Grandpa Conrad, aka the "grands." 1997 found Reese heading to the Gila Cliff Dwellings NM in New Mexico and Greer, AZ. Back to Greer with the "grands" in '98 followed by a trip to Disneyland, San Diego Zoo, and camping with Grandma and Grandpa Mac. Next in '99: The UP (Upper Peninsula) of Michigan, Mackinaw Island, and camping with the Nicholas cousins in Grayling! Year 2000 was celebrated with the "grands" and the Nicholas cousins for the Disney World Millennium Celebration followed by another camping trip to Greer, AZ.
2001/2002 had back-to-back camping trips to Greer but 2003 is when the fun really got started! This included the first camping trip to Rocky Point, Mexico (again in '04 and '05) and then the Gulf Coast "Wing It" adventure that began in North Padre Island, TX east to St. Augustine, FL and then north to Michigan on a whim! Reese celebrated his 10th year with a trip to Moab, UT and Arches NP, Dinosaur NM, Flaming Gorge NRA, Grand Tetons NP, and Yellowstone NP. In 2005, Reese picked South Dakota after learning about the presidents in class. This trip included Custer State Park with the "grands" and cousin Megan and visits to Mt. Rushmore NM, Crazy Horse Memorial, Badlands NP, Wind Cave NP, Jewel Cave NM, Devils Tower NM, and Rocky Mountain NP.
The first trip along the West Coast came in 2006. The journey began in Malibu, CA and continued north to Bellingham, WA with a stop at Mt. St. Helens NVM. The summer of 2007 was the coastal tour of Florida with a 7-day stay at Disney World/Fort Wilderness campground and then island hopping in the Florida Keys. Northern Arkansas in 2008 was an unexpected surprise with fabulous campgrounds, great hikes, Buffalo National River, and swift water kayaking! This trip was followed up by another camping adventure with the "grands" and cousin Emily in SW Colorado and Mesa Verde NP.
At the end of freshmen year, 2009, Reese headed back to Michigan to visit family. A day trip to Mackinaw Island was included and the family biked all over the island. After the stay in Michigan, Reese was joined by a friend in Detroit who traveled along to Cedar Point in Sandusky, OH, Ohiopyle State Park, PA for some hiking, biking, kayaking, and white water rafting with the Nicholas family, and then to West Virginia for more of the same!
Idaho (2010) included visits to the University of Montana, Boise State University, University of Idaho, and Washington State University. In 2011, Reese and his mom jetted off to China to visit the Nicholas family in Shanghai and spent the first week backpacking, including a trip along the Great Wall of China. (How many people can say they slept on the Great Wall?!) They then visited Beijing before catching a train to the Huangshan Mountains and explored the "West Sea of the Grand Canyon," as well as sites from the movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
After graduating high school in 2012, Reese spent an adventure-filled two weeks exploring Costa Rica. Activities included hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, zip lining, Tarzan swings, hanging bridges, a river cruise, and plenty of fresh fruit smoothies and Costa Rican coffee! After returning from Costa Rica, he spent some camping/beach time on North Padre Island and watched the release of baby sea turtles.
Only Reese would choose to spend his 21st birthday with family! And so in 2015, off to Indiana to visit the Nicholas family and the "grands" for more camping. Next came Nashville for some delicious BBQ, beer, and kayaking with a trip to the Carnton Plantation from the book The Widow of the South. After Nashville, it was on to SE Missouri for more hiking and kayaking. Fast forward to 2016, and prior to his departure for CMU, Reese and his mom went back to Costa Rica for the Week of Adventures. This trip included zip lining, Tarzan swings, kayaking, hiking, waterfall rappelling, surfing, and white water rafting. Pura Vida!
The semester prior to graduation, 2018, Reese's mom took him on a 4-week backpacking trip to Europe. His itinerary included London, Rome, Cinque Terre, Salzburg, Fussen, Munich, Dachau, Paris, and lastly, Southampton, England. 2020 brought the Covid pandemic and cancelled European trips twice in a row but still allowed for a camping trip to Oregon, the Columbia River Gorge, and northern California and the Redwoods. 2021 was spent in France (Paris, Rouen, Arles, Villefranche-sur-Mer, and Monaco) with his mom and 2022 with both parents in Belgium (Ghent, Bruges) and the Netherlands (Utrecht, Delft, Kinderdijk, Edam, Brussels).
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Memories of Reese
Sending healing thoughts and prayers. ❤️
Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help your family and if there are memorial services, gatherings, or donation requests. I’d love to support in any way I can.
You have no idea how much you are missed- your handsome face I always said reminded me so much of a young Paul McCartney, your enthusiasm and love for travel, marveling at how intrepid you were setting off on your own for NYC, and Tomorrowland.
Our hearts are broken and I wish we could turn back time and see you again. My favorite memory is when you were just a little guy and Caitlin and I were taking you in your stroller to our house, we told you to be good and sit still because we had to cross the highway or something along that line. You looked at us and grinned and said ok mamas-I guess you figured we were acting like moms but it cracked me up.
The world is less beautiful and less joyful without you in it. We all miss you greatly
May memories of Reese bring you some comfort.
"We never lose our loved ones. They accompany us; they don’t disappear from our lives. We are merely in different rooms” – Paulo Coelho
But he stood out to me.
He was always very kind and respectful every time I had an interaction with him or saw him interacting with others.
And he was always enthusiastically supporting his teammates, cheering them on and picking them up. Many of us noticed.
Reese was clearly the product of some great parenting…
We think of your family often.
We were so fortunate to spend extra time with him when he was living in Michigan attending CMU and when he visited us at the lake in the summers and at Christmas. Our heart breaks over the loss of him.
We love you Reesey! 🥰
Sending so much love to all of his family and friends <3
Reese always had so much compassion for everyone, and truly had a heart of gold. He made me feel like more than just a boss, in and outside of work. He was funny, smart, and so kind.
He is missed by many.
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