RANDOLPH REEVES
Nov. 4, 1922-Sept. 4, 2014
Randolph Reeves passed away Sept. 4, 2014.
He was born in Lisbon, Texas, Nov. 4, 1922.
He was raised on his grandfather's DeSoto, Texas, farm. His parents bought a house, and moved the family to Lancaster in 1935.
Randy graduated from Lancaster High School in 1940.
He joined the Army Aviation cadet program in April 1942 at the age of 19.
Following flight training in California, Reeves graduated from the single-engine fighter school at Luke Field. He then attended operational training in P-40s in Florida. In Karachi, India, Reeves received combat training.
He was then assigned to the 530th Fighter Squadron at Mohanbari in Assam India. His combat missions were flown in P-51B Mustangs from five bases in India and Burma and eventually in Chengdu and Xian, China.
Following the war, Reeves served for three years on occupation duty in Japan.
Other assignments included three years at St. John's, Newfoundland, and a total of 19 years in various SAC posts.
At Headquarters 8th Air Force, he commanded the 911th Air Refueling Squadron with KC-135s.
Reeves retired as a lieutenant colonel with 25 years of active duty. During his service to his country, Reeves shot down six Japanese aircraft, earning him the title of Ace.
Reeves was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with three oak leaf clusters, Purple Heart, Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with one Oak leaf cluster and numerous other service and campaign medals.
After retiring in 1966, he was sales manager for Groner Morton Olds-Cadillac.
He served on the Lancaster City Council for four years, including two years as mayor pro-tem.
He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Lancaster, Texas.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Martha (Hart) Reeves Aug. 1, 2011, and son, Scott Reeves July 20, 1982.
He is survived by his daughter, Randeen Dees of Lancaster, Texas; son, Mark Reeves and his wife, Tami, of Durham, N.C.; and daughter, Patricia Reeves of Saint Francis, Mo.
He is also survived by his beloved grandchildren, Jay Dees, Martha Bauer, Melissa Kohnen, Camille Scaturro, Jaime Fallis, Brieanne Osborn, Patrick Squaires and Aaron Squaires, as well as several great-grandchildren.
Visitation 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Byrum Funeral Home.
Funeral service 11 a.m. Wednesday at First Presbyterian Church of Lancaster. Interment at 1:30 p.m. in DFW National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please make book donations to the Lancaster Library, 972-227-1080.
www.byrumfuneralhome.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on September 9, 2014 1:49 PM