Herschel Ray Reeves
February 21, 1936 ~ May 29, 2019
Resided in:
Pueblo, Colorado
Herschel Ray Reeves, 83, departed this life unexpectedly on May 29, 2019, following a brief illness. Service, 10:00 a.m. Thursday, June 6, 2019, at Mesa Bible Church, 702 S. Main Street. He was born February 21, 1936, in Noble, Okla. to Horace and Iva Oletta (McWhorter) Reeves. Preceded in death by his parents; brother, Eugene; sisters. Bertie Marie Lewis, Betty Lou Birdsong, Drucella Dean Clausen, Paula LaRue and Mary Louise Reeves; daughter, Kelly Raye Reeves; and grandsons, Calvin and Rick Reeves. He is survived by his spouse of 43 years, Anne (Marian); and children, Becky (Brad) Ward, Seena Phillips, Judy Eckman, Calvin (Becky) Reeves and Herschel Ray Jr. (Bridget) Reeves of Redding, Calif.; sisters, Patricia Olson of Pueblo, Rosa Lee Chumbley of Canon City and Glenda (Charlie) Giles of Hutchinson, Kan.; brothers, Orval Joe Reeves of Queen Valley, Ariz. and Cliff (Ann) Jaco of Pueblo; and son-in-law, Douglas Olson of Walsenburg. Herschel was very proud of his grandchildren, Kahla Favinger, Carissa Phillips, Alex (Kayla) Ward, Heather (Brian) Harshman, Douglas Kayne Olson, Jesse (Larissa) Reeves, Ciara (Tyler) Shull, Nevada Reeves, Joshua (Amanda) Kaplan, P.J. Gonzales and Jonette Romero; and his 20 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.
Following his five year military service in the Marines he joined the Pueblo Fire Department but later decided to start his own company, Cal-Ray Petroleum, installing auto service centers. In 1977, Herschel and Anne co-owned the Red Rose Saloon until 1981. In 1981, he drove trucks for Roadrunner Trucking, Rock Wool Company and Swift Transportation. In 1986, Herschel purchased his own truck and leased to Green Tree Transportation. Later he moved to Admiral Merchants Motor Freight and stayed with them for 22 years, retiring in 2009. He was very proud of the safe driving awards he earned.
Herschel was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was a true Christian, having been 'saved' many years ago and he was proud to proclaim it. Herschel is now at rest with his Lord and Savior. He will remain in our hearts forever. We offer our sincere appreciation to Pastor Ken Bates for his loving and caring support and Sangre de Cristo Hospice for their tender care for Herschel and the family. Online condolences, www.montgomerysteward.com
Anne,
I am truly sorry for you loss. My prayers go out to you and your family.
Anne, we were so sorry to hear of Herschel’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Will try to make the service but in case we don’t please know our love is with you all. God Bless!
Dad,
I will miss your smile, hear you laugh, hearing you tell stories of pranks you pulled on other people and the pranks they played on you. You were a great story teller. I remember growing up on Gamble Lane and you would buy ice cream for us kids plus kids in the neighborhood and also be the one to make drivers slow down because you wanted us safe to play outside. I remember the pinochle games we played with Anne and Emma. So many memories to keep you in my thoughts. I have not forgotten you and I never will. You are and always will be my Dad.
It is difficult to know that you are gone from this world. But I rejoice in knowing that you loved our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and you are with him. My prayers go out to Anne who lost her soul mate of 43 years. My prayers to Our Lord Father that he helps all who are grieving.
God’s Word offers advice on timing for all situations in life.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (esv)
1For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.
Thank you for taking us camping, Dad. You loved the outdoors and nature. You had a way with fish and your rainbow trout over the campfire was the best. Thank you for explaining that thunder was clouds bumping into each other and rain was God crying when we misbehaved. Thank you for kissing us goodnight when we were little. You would tell us good riddance when you sent us off to bed. We thought you were saying riddens and it was a funny word that made us giggle. We would tell you riddens when you would leave for work. You would laugh. Thank you for not giving me a buzz cut when I begged you for it when I was seven. That would have been awkward at school and you’re right that Mom wouldn’t have liked it. We loved rubbing our brothers heads after you gave them their buzz cuts. Thank you for letting us drink all the pop we wanted and eat all the snacks we wanted out of the machines, when you worked at Don’s Salvage. We would all scream Daddy’s home when you got off of work and thank you for almost always having Peppermint Patties in your pockets for us. Thank you for showing me a beautiful glacier and waterfall, letting me shoot your rifle, and for letting me drive by myself without a license. Thank you for memories that will keep your sense of humor and love of family alive.
I will always remember watching Herschel giving suckers to the little ones at Church. I still have two of them in my Bible case holding them for Sarah. We are all going to miss seeing him and Anne sitting 2 pews in from of us a Church. He was truly a good God Fearing man and we all know he is in a better place where there is no pain. I am so sad and sorry for your loss, I should be rejoicing knowing he is with God.
We love you, Bonnie, Harv and Sarah