CAL REESE 1949 - 1990 STATION AGENT, STATION MANAGER, MANAGER-CARGO & BAGGAGE SERVICES FLG PHX DEN I noticed on the front of the summer 05 Frontier News that you received photos from Cal Reese. Is he the Cal Reese who was Station Manager in Denver? If it is I worked for him when I was hired as an agent. -Herb Schmidt (8/9/05) That's the one and only Cal! He's been a big help over the years with the newsletter. He was the second DEN station manager. -Jake Lamkins (8/9/05) I worked from Frontier Airlines from 10-6-57 till its demise in 1986. I started in the Reservation Department which at that time was located in the Sahara Hotel in downtown Phoenix On 1st Street. I was there till they remoted to Sky Harbor Airport and we were located in Terminal One, behind our ticket counter and next to the Operations Department. Some of the agents at that time were Carl Foster, Ira Kemp, Pete Couk, Tom Puckett, John Koehler, Jim Downs, Bob Fish, Vern Crawley, Don Blandford, Max Willis. Some of our Managers were Carl Foster, Cal Reese, Jim Butler. Bert Clark was an Assistant Manager after he retired from flying, and our last Manager that I worked for was Sam Cales. -Ginger Ann Treptow (2/11/06) C.E. Reese Seniority date 2/15/49 on seniority list datd 11/1/55 Cal continued working after the bankruptcy for several years wrapping up things with Lee Davis. -Jake Lamkins (2/13/06) The FL news issue #23 included many very interesting articles by several FL friends. You are really the writer of an ongoing "book", published in a unique, non-fiction newspaper mode, reflecting a cast of many thousands of characters involved in the original FAL! Thanks again, ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- JIM BUTLER At all times a fine gentleman enjoying a close knit and loving family, Jim joined FL and our DENOO station group (at age 30) on Nov. 21, 1951. We were pleasantly surprised when he and Paul Hilt (started at DENFL on 8-24-51, age 28) joined us as new station agents, bringing some needed business maturity and they quickly adapted to all facets of the station and improved our overall performance. As I recall, Jim transferred to GJT, thence to PRC manager, followed by PHX manager and then TUS manager. (This subject to correction and necessary infill) Several years prior in 1956, we were both reporting to regional manager John Griffiths (Jim - PRC & Cal - FLG) and then from 1964 to 1968 we both reported to Capt. Bert Clark (who moved from division chief pilot to regional manager; Jim the TUS manager and I was in PHX. During all these years, I learned to appreciate Jim's acumen and friendship, both on the job and away. In a quiet, unassuming manner and with a minimum of folderal, Jim did exemplify the vast majority of those folks that made Frontier the BEST! An outstanding aspect within FL: EACH job ws as important to our success as any other, whether it was president, a board member, or any other categorical position, each was honored as a necessary member of the FL Family and it is still in evidence today, maybe even more so now. Jim Butler knew and lived this well. May the Lord's grace and love abound with us all. -Cal Reese (5/18/06) From your NEWS, I find that many various groups of the old FL are still active. As I reflect upon the opening of the FL Denver station in the summer 1951 (He may mean 1950 since that's when FL started with DEN as HQs), Jerry Fox, John Carpenter and I, with a group of new agents, started our fish bowl operation in the little old DEN terminal - exciting times then, but to my knowledge, I am the only one still alive to reminisce within that group DENOO. Jim Montgomery was the director and a plethora of other FL groups made it all work beautifully. The FL alpha & omega. Run the race with eternity in view. Blessings, -Cal Reese (7/7/07) I REALLY APPRECIATE RECEIVING COPIES OF ALL THE COMMENTS YOU RECEIVE FROM FORMER EMPLOYEES. I TALKED TO CAL REESE YESTERDAY, WHO LIVES WITH HIS WIFE, BARBARA, IN SUN CITY AZ. HE IS DOING WELL AND SAID HE COMETINES SEES HANK LUND. ALSO, I KEEP IN TOUCH WITH LARRY NBNSTIEL, WHO STILL IS DOWN IN LAS VEGAS, AND DICK ROHRMANN, WHO NOW LIVES IN CALIFORNIA. -JACK McGUIRE. (3/11/09) Cal phoned for a chat and he told me about how the DEN station was started and that he's now 83 years old. Before FL, Monarch had been handled in DEN by WA and CO handled Challenger. After the merger June 1, 1950 a group started up the station. Participants included Elton Snoke, Jim Montgomery, Cal Reese, Jerry Fox, Bill Bates and John Carpenter. Cal is married to Chuck Demoney's ex-wife. He hired Chuck whom he talked to recently and is not doing so well. He was 71 last Jan and is having blood clots and other problems. Cal talked about how he was the last sales service manager in PHX because they had a pilot/FA domicile and a res office behind the ticket counter. PHX was #2 in boardings on the system. Cal was the DEN manager earlier. Then FL pulled the domiciles and res office and the position was a station manager. Call sounded good and I encouraged him to jot down his memories as they occurred to him and mail them to me. He used to send me some great letters of reminiscence. -Jake Lamkins (7/27/10) I enjoyed our conversation ref FL and our company geneology. Hopefully, I will send more info. We discussed old age reached by FL employees. Your #40 edition contains a FAA honor to 94 year old George Ceshker, a FL pilot still flying! Believe he owns your Gold Star Award. Best regards, -Cal Reese (7/30/10) Posted at FLacebook: Cal Reese phoned me and we chatted quite awhile. He started with Monarch in 1949 and called it quits in 1990 after helping with the post-bankruptcy proceedings a few years. Not many FL 40 year folks around. Cal's 83 now and told me how he and others set up the DEN station at the Jun 1, 1950 merger. Neither Monarch nor Challenger had a DEN station operations but farmed it out. Cal headed up FL lost and found the latter part of his career. But he held a multitude of titles during his career. He was the FLG station manager in 1956 when the horrible mid-air collision of TW and UA occurred over the Grand Canyon. Both TW and UA made FLGFL their HQs for the post crash search and investigation. -Jake Lamkins (7/30/10) Cal phoned to tell me about Chuck Demoney. He had Chuck's son Jim email some info which I got. Chuck was hired May 1, 1958 and Cal was his first manager in DEN. Cal's been married to Barb 39 years. Cal's daughter was murdered in 1998 and Chuck offerred help with lawyer. Chuck was always a very helpful person and a good friend. Cal's 83 now. He read some info off a 1960 FL personnel roster and I asked him to send me a copy. Told him about Bill Hilbert and Don Cope dying. He said Don was a senior agent with DEN CO in 1950 when FL began. Bill Hilbert's hire date is 3-1-47, born 9-12-18. -Jake Lamkins (3/3/11) Cal phoned and chatted about Don Cope and other items. He said he, Jerry Fox and John Carpenter started DEN station in 1950. It had been handled by CO before and that's who Don worked for as a senior agent. Don helped him getting the FL station started. Later Don opened a Dairy Queen near Colfax and Quebec in Denver. It did so well he quit CO to run it. Jerry Fox was the first DEN station manager and Cal was the second. Bill Wayne is in hospice either in PHX or DEN. Cal will work on an article about the FL secretaries. -Jake Lamkins (3/22/11) C. E. REESE DEN station manager DOB 7/22/27 DOH 2/15/49 Notation says DOH 1/15/49 til 2/15/90, 41 yrs -Reese Per Feb 1960 FL Roster -Jake Lamkins (5/3/11) I remember Cal well. Worked with him for several years. I was in the Denver lost and found office. System lost and found was right next door. What a Gentleman! -Robert Wear (10/26/11) I just received the Frontier News #50. Just great and I want to order 10 copies sent to me as soon as convenient. Jake. I'm still trying to learn from you! -Cal Reese (1/23/13) My good friend Pres Blatter when fired by Bud Maytag - came to my office - sat down and said "Cal, I've just been fired (no reason, no thanks by Bud"! Pres then became president of Alaska Air. He called me from Seattle, asking my thoughts on some station matters. A fine gentleman - high I.Q., such as "When in doubt, ask questions." I later on reported to John Ahlquist. Open minded; needed in our administration. A big help in my transition from PHX mgr. I thank all personnel of FL for their support. -Cal Reese (1/28/13) Thanks Jake. You have made Cal a Happy Guy. Edition #50 is a Treasure. -Barb Reese (1/28/13) My name is Connie Wheeler and Cal is my uncle on my dad’s side. And, as the article says, he is a great guy. My brothers and I were always excited when Cal would come to visit us outside of Chicago. He is 14 years younger than his brother, Dean, my father, and very special to my dad. I think his influence was where my love of flying started. I remember when he was transferred to Phoenix. My mother and I flew out there and he greeted us there. I didn’t want to leave the airport!! I want to thank you for this wonderful article. We live in Florida and struggle to get out to see him. He truly is a great guy and I love him dearly. -Connie (Reese) Wheeler (2/19/13) Hi Connie, I'm assuming you're referring to the latest issue of Frontier News. Thank you for the kind words. In case Cal didn't tell you, this Frontier News issue, along with all the others, is posted at the Frontier website, free and in color. Lots of other stuff there that will take you down memory lane. Great hearing from you, -Jake Lamkins (2/19/13) Hi Cal, Hope this finds you well. Do you remember an old time PHX mechanic named Bill Bailey? He started with Monarch in 1947. Is he the same as the mechanic L R Bailey or Lawrence Bailey? Thanks for your help, -Jake Lamkins (8/15/13) Re Bill Bailey; The name is familiar but can't recall details. Maybe one of the pilots or mechanics who haven't gone west could be of help. -Cal Reese (8/18/13) Cal Reese Passed Away This is John Reese, Cal Reese's son. I am sad to have to inform you and all Frontier Airlines family that Cal passed away October 22, 2013 at 5:15 pm at his ICU at Banner Boswell Hospital in Sun City, AZ -John Reese (10/23/13) I am truly sorry to hear this. My sincere condolences to you and the family. I'll get the word out to the FLamily right away. With sympathy, -Jake Lamkins (10/23/13) Sure sorry to learn this. I had hoped to visit with Cal some more on the FAL/PEX/UAL/CAL debacle. We had a lengthy discussion following your suggestion that we speak. It was VERY enlightening. For much of what he knew in 1986, Cal was not at liberty to discuss at the time. Had we employees known then what Cal knew, the employee situation may have changed. It would have potentially made a significant difference in how things went prior to the bankruptcy along with the aftermath. Certainly the employee seniority issues would have been decided with an altogether different outcome... If you have John's e-mail address, I would like to send a note of condolence. -Billy Walker (10/23/13) Cal was the epitome of an airline ambassador and in particular, Frontier. His career from PHX to the home office was exemplorary to say the least. His friendship was a warm memory for me. -Art Giffin (10/23/13) I was sad to learn of Cal Reese's passing. He was a very close friend for many years. I first met CAL IN 1967, when I was with BRANIFF in the baggage tracing section, and Cal was my counterpart with FRONTIER. Later, in 1979, I left BRANIFF, and moved to Denver, to join FRONTIER in the Customer Relations Department. It was Cal who not only wished me well in the transfer, but assisted in helping me adjust to this big move. May our LORD bless him and be with his love ones. -Jack McGuire (10/23/13) Cal Reese. If I could choose 1 person to have the title of ( Mr. Frontier ) , Cal would be my choice. I would bet there is not a person in our club that could say a word about Cal and it not be good.. I really hope he is aware of how well he was thought of by his fellow employees. I am not sure , but I think he had the most seniority with FL when we shut down??? RIP.. MR. Frontier -Roger Vote. (10/24/13) Thank you very much Jake for your condolences and posting for the Frontier Family. Cal (dad) had a great life! and I feel privileged to have been part of that great life of his, and the wonderful memories to hold on to, and they will help to sustain me and all of us:). I am very proud to be his son. -John Reese (10/24/13) All through my career I thought of loaner bags as Cal Reese Specials. RIP my friend.... -Dennis Casadoro (10/24/13) Obituary CALVIN EDWARD REESE Born: Fri Jul 22, 1927 Died: Tue Oct 22, 2013 Family to do services at later date Regency Mortuary --------------------- John Reese Posted Fri October 25, 2013 I love you and miss you so much Dad. I cherish the memories of our times together. Your very proud son, John Reese. -http://www.regencymortuary.com/obits/obituary.php?id=378986 Posted at FLacebook and the FL Club: DEN manager-baggage services Cal Reese's memorial webpage is posted. http://FAL-1.tripod.com/Cal_Reese.html Cal was the longest serving employee in my records - 41 years! He was a great help to me over the years since I started the FL News. Always willing to share his wealth of memories and quick to post condolences as his many FLriends flew west. I'm so glad he was featured in the Winter 2013 issue. He will be greatly missed. -Jake Lamkins (10/4/13) I WAS SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT THE DEATH OF CAL REESE. HE WAS MY FIRST MANAGER WHEN I STARTED AS AN AGENT ON FEBRUARY 7, 1959. HE WAS GREAT TO WORK FOR AND ENCOURAGED ME TO APPLY FOR A SALES POSITION IN JULY OF 1959. I GOT THE JOB AND WORKED FOR VERN CARLSON. WE CONTINUED TO REMAIN FRIENDS MY ENTIRE TIME AT FRONTER UNTIL I LEFT ON APRIL 22, 1972. -HERB SCHMIDT (11/5/13) This is a very good memorial and remembrance page of dad (Cal). Great photos/memories for everyone to share, including some memories I myself remember, and interesting information. :) I thank you - greatly! -John Reese (11/6/13)