James Luther Reaves IV

James Luther Reaves IV was born in Savannah, Georgia, to James and Lucille Reaves. He grew up with his 2 sisters, Joan and Barbara, and a brief few years with his brother Carey, who passed in his early childhood, and a newborn brother who passed a day after birth.

He attended Savannah High School, where he played football and belonged to several clubs, one of which was ROTC. He was also nominated as the most handsome in his senior year. He spent summers and many times after school working in his father’s grocery store. After graduating high school, he joined the United States Air Force, which landed him a tour in England, where he met his true love, Pilar, a beautiful redhead from Spain. They were married in England in 1959. Together, they were stationed in several places, including the Philippines and California. He was sent to serve our country in the Vietnam War. After his tour in Vietnam was completed, he returned to his wife and daughter, who were living in Spain with family and anxiously awaiting his return. In 1977, he, his wife, and daughter moved from Spain to Austin, TX, where he retired at Bergstrom AFB as MSGT after 22 years and 10 months of dedicated service. He soon got a job as a sonar engineer working for the University of Texas at Austin Applied Research Labs (ARL) where he worked for 23 years, when he retired to join his wife, as she had recently retired. He enjoyed traveling with his wife and working in his yard, which he took a lot of pride in. In 2022, he and his wife sold their beautiful home in Buda and moved into the retirement community of Village on the Park at Onion Creek, where they enjoyed the many activities, music, and many festivities in the company of residents and staff who became family. Jim, as many called him, was the kindest and most loving man who always put himself last and family first. Always willing to lend a hand and do what he could to help others. He was and is well-loved and will be deeply missed. A true gentleman, loving husband, father, brother, and friend.

He is now reunited with his true love, Pilar, who went before him in May 2025, as well as his mother, father, both brothers, and other loved ones who have all been awaiting his arrival.

Survived by his only child, his daughter Melissa, sisters Joan (Randy) Clayton, Barbara (Charles) Harvey, brother in law Ricardo Calle, and wife, Maria Rosa of Spain, nephews Randy Jr, Jimmy Harvey, and wife Abby, Juan Pablo, nieces Kelly (Peter) Rambo, Karen (Mike) Malinowski, Patricia, Vanessa, Angela, as well as many great nieces and nephews and so many dear friends.

A memorial service for James will be held on Saturday, May 30, at 2:00 PM at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home, 6300 W William Cannon Dr, Austin, Texas 78749.