Jacob Eli Reep, 84, passed away Sunday, August 23 after a courageous two year battle with lymphoma. Jake was born in Lincolnton, NC to the late Luther Jones Reep and Pearl Rhyne Reep of Lincoln County, NC. He was preceded in death by brothers, Ervin Reep, Huitt Reep and Lewis Reep.
Jake served in the Army Military Intelligence Corps from 1954 to 1956. A graduate of N.C. State College, he was an engineer for Thiokol Chemical Corporation for 35 years in Huntsville in the design and development of solid propellant rocket motors.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Betsy Johnson Reep; daughters, Kathy Reep Zicarelli (Raymond) and Kim Reep Gayle (Tim); grandchildren, Michael Zicarelli, Rachael Zicarelli Avant (twins), Patrick Zicarelli, Jake Gayle, John Gayle (twins), and Chandler Gayle; sisters, Margaret Reep Ingle and Faye Reep Shidal; brothers, Dean Reep and Yates Reep; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service to honor Jake’s life will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, August 29, 2015 at Monte Sano United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends immediately after the service in the fellowship hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Monte Sano United Methodist Church at 601 Monte Sano Blvd, Huntsville, AL 35801, the Russel Hill Cancer Foundation, 3601 CCI Dr., Huntsville, AL 35805, or Hospice Family Care, 3304 Westmill Dr., Huntsville, AL 35805.
