Clyde Austin Reaves Jr.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Loretta Sansing Reaves of Columbus, Georgia; his daughter, Amelia Reaves Pilsch of Tuscaloosa, Alabama; his son; Clyde Austin Reaves III and wife, Linda of Cleveland, Tennessee; and his daughter; Melissa Reaves Weatherly and husband, Kurt of Newnan, Georgia. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Mr. Reaves was born on November 13th, 1926 in Bessemer, Alabama, to parents Clyde Austin Reaves, Sr. and Anna Emelia Patridge. He graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology with a degree in Chemical Engineering and Naval Science and Strategy in 1948. Seven years of Mr. Reaves’ life were devoted to serving his country in the U.S. Navy. During his last three years, he served on the USS Columbus.

In 1952, he moved to Tuscaloosa, Alabama and accepted a position as a Chemical Engineer at Gulf States Pulp and Paper Corporation. He worked for 40 years in the paper industry, retiring in 1992 from Mead Coated Board as a training specialist for expanded program designing and operating machines that produce paper from logs.

After retiring, Mr. Reaves was “engineered” into volunteering by his wife. He began working with Muskogee County Adult Education, teaching reading to adults, then as a tutor trainer. He also served as a Vista volunteer, promoting adult literacy, making and delivering brochures promoting adult literacy programs, participating in blitzes at various housing authorities and giving talks to civic groups.

Mr. Reaves also became an integral part of Tillinghurst Adult Education Center. He volunteered twice a week, assisting with technology issues and substituting for teachers who needed to be absent. He has been recognized many times for his service to the Muskogee County Community.

Mr. Reaves was a great family man and a loving father. He enjoyed wood working and once built a hovercraft and a ham radio station for his son, and a catamaran sailboat for his family. He later stepped it down and built model ships for his children and constructed dollhouses for his grandchildren. He was an active man who loved to travel and was involved in health and fitness for the majority of his life. His family and friends will always remember him as hard working and devoted.

The family will receive friends from 5-6 pm, on Wednesday, September 16th at Striffler- Hamby 4071 Macon Road Columbus, Ga.

The family would like to thank our dear friend Marilyn, and the caregivers and staff of Columbus Hospice. All were a gift and a blessing.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to: Columbus Hospice 7020 Moon Road Columbus, GA 31909 www.columbushospice.com. In memory of Clyde Austin Reaves, Jr.

Online condolences may be offered at www.shcolumbus.com