James Ronald Reeves

April 26, 1942 – July 20, 2022

Jim was born in Corona, CA, on April 26, 1942, to Ilona Coleen Fielding Reeves and Manford Luther Reeves. His family moved to Santa Paula, CA, and he spent the early days of his life running around the Limoneira Ranch with his siblings, Cal, Matt, Rhudean, Denver and Sam. His fond memories of these times stayed with him to his last days.

He graduated from Santa Paula High School and began his career in banking. From Santa Paula Savings to Bank of A. Levy, it would be hard to find a person in town who hadn’t banked with Jim. He married Julia Lowry and they had a daughter, Juliann. She recalls going to visit her dad at the bank one day. He was busy with a customer and an elderly lady was waiting for him. Another bank employee asked if they could help her and she said, “No, thank you. I’m waiting for Jimmy!”. His big smile and sense of humor invited conversation and he never met a stranger. While Jim and Julia’s marriage ended, they remained lifelong friends.

In 1982, he married Gabriella Araiza. This also added Gabie’s children, Richard, Ronald, Randal and Karen, to the family. Words that come to mind when describing their marriage are laughter and joy. For more than 36 years, they worked together, traveled and enjoyed the company of family and friends. After Jim’s retirement from banking, he worked with Gabie at her restaurant, La Cabana. This was a perfect “retirement” since he loved nothing more than spending time with her and talking to people. Although he was known to take the phone off the hook from time to time to avoid taking to-go orders!

Golfing was Jim’s other passion. He loved being out on the course with his buddies and many memories were made there. He often shared his favorite golf spots with his family. Sometimes a burger at Elkins Ranch or breakfast and a view at Saticoy Country Club.

He cared for Gabie until her passing in 2018. He spent the last three and a half years in Dallas, where he was able to spend time with Juliann, her husband, Art and grandsons Everett and Alex. Jim was a lifelong Dallas Cowboys fan. He was able to catch a game when he moved to Dallas and, amazingly, they won!

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Manford and Ilona Reeves, his wife, Gabriella, his sister, Rhudean Reeves, and brothers, Calvin and Manford (Matt) Reeves.

Jim is survived by and will be dearly missed by his brothers, Denver and Samuel Reeves; children and their spouses, Juliann (Art), Richard (Laura), Ronald (Georgia), Randal (Sonya), Karen (Troyce); grandchildren, Everett and Alex Barkley, Ryan, Austin (Kara), Sara, Anthony, Evan and Adam Araiza, Rejina (Matt) Cochran, Tori Thomas, Tylen (Conner) Booth, Troi Ann, Lukas, and Heaven Reynolds. Jim is also survived by many nieces, nephews and great-grandchildren.

We are forever grateful for all of the caregivers, including Iris Memory Care and Anchor of Hope Hospice, who helped him live his last years gracefully.

Private family services will be held in Santa Paula. If anyone would like to honor Jim’s memory, please support the Dementia Society of America, Alzheimer’s Association, your local hospice organization or take a friend out for a round of golf.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Sparkman-Hillcrest.com for the Reeves family.