Charles "Jack" Reeves

Funeral services for Col. Charles Willard “Jack” Reeves, Jr. will be 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 29, 2012 at the First Baptist Church of Carthage. Burial with full military honors will follow in the Odd Fellows Cemetery under the direction of Hawthorn Funeral Home. Family visitation will be 6-8:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at Hawthorn Funeral Home. Mr. Reeves died August 27, 2012 in Carthage, Texas. Col. Charles Willard “Jack” Reeves, Jr. was born January 5, 1930 in Marshall, Texas. He was one of two sons born to the marriage of C. W. and Sadie Anderson Reeves. Jack graduated Carthage High School with the class of 1948 later attending Panola College. In 1952 Jack enlisted in the military serving two years and then was accepted in the aviation Cadet Program and began flying school at Bainbridge AFB in Georgia. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant at Bryan AFB, Texas on August 17, 1953. That day he was awarded his wings becoming a pilot in the USAF and most importantly he married the love of his life, Patsy Jean Adams. Jack reported to Da Nang AB in Vietnam and while serving in Southeast Asia he served as Flight Commander and Instructor Pilot, also flying 218 combat missions during his 28 year Air Force career. During his career Col. Reeves was awarded the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross (First Leaf Cluster), the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (Basic through Tenth Oak Leaf Cluster), Air Force Commendation Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster), Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Combat Readiness medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, RVN Gallantry Cross with Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Jack retired from the Air Force in 1980 returning to Carthage. He worked many years as a corporate pilot for R. Lacy and continued to fly over the next 15 years. Jack was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Carthage in the Berean Sunday School Class, a devoted Rotarian in the Carthage Club, voted Alumnus of the Year for both Carthage High School and Panola College. Mr. Reeves is survived by his loving wife, Pat Reeves of Carthage; sons, Scott Reeves and wife Kelly of Hot Springs, Arkansas, Randy Reeves of Bedford; daughter, Jackie Carpenter of Carthage; brother, Mike Reeves of Conroe; grandchildren, Stacey Larkin and husband Nelson of Arlington, Kristen Carpenter of Arlington, Ben Reeves of Arlington, Meredith Reeves of Hot Springs, Arkansas and Emily Reeves of Hot Springs, Arkansas; numerous other relatives and a host of friends. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be his fellow Rotarians and the members of the Berean Sunday School Class.

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Charles "Jack" Reeves

January 5, 1930 - August 27, 2012