Don was born in Decatur, Alabama to John Wesley Reeves Sr. and Sarah Elois Garrison Reeves on January 25, 1934. He was the grandson of Benjamin and Alta Reeves and Samuel and Lula May Garrison. He grew up in the magic of Old Hickory Village in a time when life was tough, but they had it all. There were many summers spent on his Grandparent’s farm in Alabama and the stories he told showed his appreciation and love for them. One of his favorite tales was of him, barely out of diapers and riding the train alone, feet dangling over the side, with nothing but a sleeve of saltines and a jar of peaches. Don “hoboed” from Nashville to Birmingham, where his “Big Daddy” Garrison, who worked for the rail line would meet him. He was a graduate of DuPont High School, class of 1953 (GO BULLDOGS!). Later, attending Tennessee Polytechnical Institute of Cookeville TN, he received a BS in Industrial Technology, class of 1960. He spoke fondly of those days with a grin on his face and a twinkle in his eye.
While at college, Don enlisted in The United States Army. He served in Army Intelligence as a cryptographer just after the Korean war (1956-1959). His stories from this time in his life were EPIC yet cryptic due to his security clearance. After his military service and finishing his degree, Don started his career as an Industrial Engineer with E.I. du Pont Nemours & Company and would eventually retire from the Old Hickory Plant with 32 years in service. He was grateful and considered DuPont, what he called, his “bread and butter”. His career included several years with Nashville Bridge Co., building and repairing bridges throughout the south. A few of his hobbies were photography, woodworking, aviation, trains, drafting, building and just about anything mechanical. He was a 33rd degree Mason and a member of The Old Hickory Masonic Lodge.
April 10, 1956, he counted as one of the happiest days of his life. Don married Ann Chandley Reeves, his high-school sweetheart. Though his marriage to Ann would span 61 years before her death in 2017, their lives were entwined far longer. Together they experienced their early lives in “The Village”, those years at Tech, writing love letters to each other during his years overseas, and the birth and raising of four children and so much more. They never parted without a kiss and he never returned without announcing his arrival. He would have to continue without her another four long years but now, he again can shout, “Honey, I’m home!”.
Don is preceded in death by his grandparents, parents and beloved wife, Ann Chandley Reeves. There were many others who passed before him, that he loved and missed dearly.
Don is survived by his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren:
Tamela Ann White, (Dean).
Cynthia Fay Reeves Phillips, (Robert). Grandchildren, Leslie Hertzog, (Werner) and James Gilbert, (Sarah). Great Grandchildren, Natalie, Nathan and Noah Hertzog.
Lori Leslie Reeves. Grandchildren, Jeffrey, (a.k.a. Pebo) and Caitlyn Reeves, Adam, Randall and Victoria Mullican. Great Grandchildren, Caiden and Audrey Keith.
Donald Boyd Reeves Jr. Grandchild, Boyd Reeves.
Don is survived by siblings:
John Wesley Reeves Jr., (Evelyn), Dottie Joan Getz, (George), Judith May McKee, (Pete) and brother-in-law, Edward L. Chandley, Jr., (Henrietta).
He leaves an exceptionally large, loving family with nieces, nephews, cousins and other family and friends.
With sadness we now say goodbye to Donald, Don, Daddy, Daddy-Boy, Dada, Precious, Raw Hide, Reeves, and Red. He was loved by his wife, children, family and friends.
The funeral service will be held on April 17, 2021. Visitation at 10am, 11am memorial service and graveside interment with military honors to follow, at Hermitage Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens located at 535 Shute Lane., Old Hickory, TN 37138. Don was a member of Old Hickory Church of Christ, Minister Don Loftis will officiate the service with Nephew, Scott Dorris delivering the eulogy. Scott Dorris will officiate the interment of Don and Ann Reeves together.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to https://www.garysinisefoundation.org. The family of Donald Boyd Reeves Sr. wishes to thank the professionals at the V.A. for their help in these final days.
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