Harold M. Reeves

Harold M. Reeves, 93 died February 18, 2011 in Palo Alto, California. He was born July 4, 1917 in a log cabin near Leslie, Arkansas and grew up on a farm near Atwood, Oklahoma. Harold worked his way through college at East Central in Ada, Oklahoma where he graduated in 1939 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. He married Lucille Mathis of Atwood on December 28, 1940.

After World War II, Harold and Lucille moved to Aurora, Colorado in 1945 where they raised four children and Harold worked as a civilian instructor at Lowry Air Force Base. In 1964 they moved back to Oklahoma, where he worked for the Federal Aviation Agency as an Education Specialist from 1964 until his retirement in 1976. After retirement, he avidly pursued a hobby in gardening with an emphasis on growing fruit and vegetables. He taught gardening classes at St. Luke’s Senior Education for 25 years. He was a charter member Master Gardener with the Oklahoma County Master Gardeners, and active in OSU Extension Service. His gardening knowledge was extensive; he was a speaker on local radio, and his garden was toured on a local program called Gardening for Food, as well as by Extension groups and Master Gardeners.

Harold was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Lucille, in 2005; his father, Joe Madison “Bud” Reeves, mother Lu Tacy Firestone Reeves, and his brother Clovis Reeves.

He is survived by a sister Mattie Reeves Emerson of Colorado; four children, Ken Reeves of Tarpon Springs, FL, Charles Reeves of Golden, CO, Larry Reeves of Palo Alto, CA, and a daughter Sharon Reeves Runnels of Kellyville, OK; four grandchildren, Karen Reeves Gentsch of Cartersville, GA, David Reeves of San Mateo, CA, Maria Cristina Reeves Abilock of Palo Alto, CA, and Dennis Runnels of Tulsa, OK; four great-grandchildren Coby and Remi Abilock of Palo Alto, CA, Catherine Duckett of TX, and William Dashiel Reeves of San Mateo, CA.

A funeral service will be held Monday, Feb. 28, 2011 at 10:00 AM at Guardian Funeral Homes West Chapel in Oklahoma City with interment at Resurrection Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in memory of Harold Reeves to the Mobile Meals program of the Areawide Aging Agency, 4101 Perimeter Center Dr, STE 310, Oklahoma City, OK 73112 (405) 942-8500.

The family would like to extend their appreciation for the support and care of Palo Alto Commons Assisted Living and Pathways Hospice.