John Paul Rees, Sr.

Mr. John Paul Rees, Sr. of Cleveland, and formerly of Preston, Georgia died Thursday, December 21, 2006 at Friendship Nursing Home. He was 90. Mr. Rees was born on March 28, 1916 in Preston, Georgia to the late Charles and Eva Sawyer Rees. He was a U.S. Army World War II veteran. His principal occupation was as a builder of residential housing and he served as a maintenance supervisor at the hospital in Clayton, Georgia for ten years before retiring in 1981. Mr. Rees enjoyed woodworking, gardening, gold mining, and traveling. He was preceded in death by sisters, Marie Rees and Katherine Rees. Survivors include a former wife, Thelma Rees of Gunnison, Colorado; son and daughter-in-law, John Paul, Jr. and Barbara Rees, Cleveland; daughter, Melanie Rees, of Crested Butte, Colorado; grandchildren, Leah Rees, of Berea, Kentucky; Ian Rees, of Denver, Colorado; and Graham Rees, of Berea, Colorado; as well as sisters, Evelyn Downer, of Denver, NC; and Jill Hill, Independence, MO; in addition to two nieces and five nephews. Funeral services were held at 12 noon on Thursday, December 28, 2006 from the Chapel of Smith Funeral Home in Richland, Georgia. The Rev. Rick Hamilton officiated. Interment followed in the Preston City Cemetery in Preston, Georgia. Barrett Funeral Home of Cleveland was in charge of local arrangements. (706) 865-3101