Ronald Lindsay Reeves

Ronald L. Reeves, M.D., passed away on October 16, 2017, at his home in Daytona Beach, Florida. He was 74. Ron was a world-renowned forensic pathologist whose findings and testimony in state, federal, and military courts helped convict scores of murderers. With his specialization in child abuse and homicide, few things gave Ron more satisfaction than helping prosecutors convict the perpetrators.

Ron regularly appeared as an expert on national television shows, such as Oprah Winfrey, and he and his work were profiled by Dan Rather on 60 Minutes. A military veteran, Ron was proud of his service to his country.

Ron was a crusader who boldly exposed corruption and fought for victims’ rights. One of Ron’s former colleagues described him to the Orlando Sentinel, “He was outrageous, honest, and opinionated. Reeves was always the champion of the weak and the frail and the people without voices.”

Born on August 30, 1943, in Nashville, Tennessee, Ron was the beloved youngest child of the late Elise Callaham Reeves, founder of The Reeves School, a private secondary school in Nashville. Ron graduated from Vanderbilt with an engineering degree, following which he authored an engineering textbook, before he decided to go to medical school. Although Ron moved from Tennessee after becoming a physician, he remained proud of his Nashville and Vanderbilt roots.

Universally feared by adversaries who knew Ron was relentless in the pursuit of justice, he was also known for his sense of humor and storytelling. His charm was unparalleled, and he made an impression wherever he went.

Ron loved animals: He refused to take high school biology because he would not dissect a frog; he surprised his children with a donkey for Christmas and a bunny for Easter, but his greatest loves were his German Shepherds who he always described as puppies even when they were 100+ pound seniors. He taught his puppies to howl with him in sync to the Law & Order theme song, and they were fiercely devoted to him.

With his deeply held Christian faith, Ron was looking forward to being reunited with his mother and puppies in heaven. He loved gospel and country music, and he could watch the Gaithers for hours.

Ron is survived by his six children (Natalie Lynn Reeves of New York, NY; April Duncan of Titusville, FL; Liesl Reeves of Austin, TX; Heidi Harding of Ocala, FL; Lindsay Jennings of Anchorage, AK; and Ronnie Reeves, Jr. of Ormond Beach, FL); his brother, Howell J. Reeves of West Chester, PA; his sister, Diane Bell of Brentwood, TN; his grandchildren (Austin, Morgan, Victoria, Megan, Abbigail, Oscar, Madelyn and Annabelle); and his devoted dog, Dutch.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your local animal rescue or to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

Services will be held on Thursday at 11:30 AM at Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home 660 Thompson Ln. Nashville TN 37204.