Richard Frederick Reeves

Richard Frederick Reeves, 76, of Indianapolis, Indiana died on February 14, 2015. Richard �"Dick” Reeves, a native of Rocky Mount, North Carolina was the son of Jesse & Lula Reeves. His parents, both musicians, along with his high school band director, introduced him to jazz and classical music, which would become an essential part of his life. He played clarinet in his high school band and eventually transferred to tenor saxophone, which became his lifelong friend. As he discovered the joy of playing with bands, this talent helped finance his college education at Hampton University in Hampton Virginia, where he attended and graduated. During that time, he and his brother Jesse played with the Royal Hamptonians and he performed with a band called the �"Jamming Jammers” that often backed professional groups that were performing in the area.

He was a member of the Hampton University graduating class of 1960 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. He married his wife Beverly in 1963 and raised three sons, each born on a different continent. He served in the Army for 20 years, retiring in 1981 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In addition, he earned a Master’s Degree from Webster University in St Louis, MO, traveled extensively throughout the world and also served in Vietnam. Travel became his passion as he visited all 50 states and six continents. He moved to Indianapolis with his family following his retirement from the Army and continued to perform music locally and regionally with the Dick Reeves Combo and as a solo strolling saxophonist, ministering to nursing and retirement homes throughout Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky.

Reeves joined his three sons in baptism and sang in the choir at East 91st Street Christian Church and later at St Luke’s United Methodist Church. Reeves also worked as Safety Director for the Indiana State Highway Department and as Transportation Director for Methodist Hospital.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Beverly, three sons: Kevin Richard (Kathryne) of New Albany, OH. USAF Col Keith Wiley (Tessia) of Woodbridge, VA, and Derek Walker (Patricia) of Fort Wayne, IN. He is also survived by a brother, Jesse Walker (Marva) of Detroit, MI, five grandchildren and numerous other relatives and friends. He appreciated and enjoyed his life and family and lived it to the fullest. He never let an opportunity pass to brag about his family for whom he had so much pride. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Visitation will be held Thursday February 19th at St Luke’s United Methodist Church: 100 W. 86th St. Indianapolis, IN from 4PM to 7PM. Funeral services will be held 11AM Friday, February 20th at St Luke’s UMC, with visitation prior to the service. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to Hampton University: 100 E. Queen St., Hampton, VA 23668 or St. Vincent’s Hospice: 8450 N. Payne Rd. #100, Indianapolis, IN 46268.

Crown Hill Funeral Home is honored to assist the family during their loss. If you wish to leave an online condolence for the family, you may do so by visiting www.crownhill.org .