Ronald Bruce Reeves, Sr.

Ronald B. Reeves, age 71, passed away Thursday, March 28, 2024 at his home, after a two year battle with cancer.  Visitation will be at 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at the First Baptist Church in Seymour.  Funeral services 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at the First Baptist Church with Dr. Tommy Culwell and Dr. David Warren officiating.  Burial will be in the Seymour Masonic Cemetery under the direction of Archer Funeral Home.

He was born July 24, 1952 in Brownwood, Texas to Lillian Lauraine Hughes and Donald Buster Reeves.  He started school in Knox City and moved to Seymour where he graduated with the Class of 1970.  He attended Clarendon College on a golf scholarship and later attended Texas Tech University.  He married his high school sweetheart, Jana, on June 5, 1976 in Seymour.  He attended the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science, graduating second in his class in 1979.  He began his long career working at funeral homes in Carlsbad, N.M., Big Spring, Texas and in 1983, returned home to Seymour, where he began his ministry of taking care of families during their time of need.  Being a funeral director was not just a career, it was a calling for him.

He was always active in his children’s lives.  He coached them in Little Dribblers, was a Little League Coach, a golf coach and attended all their events.  Later he enjoyed watching his grandkids and commented that it was much less stressful the second time around.

He was a 40 plus year member of the Seymour Lion’s Club, a member of the Chamber of Commerce and a member and Grand Master of Seymour Masonic Lodge #604 AF&AM.

He was a 50 plus year member of the First Baptist Church where he shared his God-given musical talent.  He sang in the Sanctuary Choir, was a member of the men’s gospel quartet and taught choir on Wednesday night to the children.

He served as Mayor of Seymour from 2009-2013 and was instrumental in getting many projects accomplished.

He was an avid golfer, winning many tournaments over the years and was always known for his smooth, sweet swing.

His love of music outside the church began in the early 1980’s when he, Curtis Priddy, Mack Bibb and Clifton Talley formed what was to be known as “The Imitation Stats”.  Billie Gene Young, Rosie Priddy and Royce Miller completed the group and they performed all over the state of Texas and beyond, performing for large audiences and small crowds and always left the crowd wanting more.

He is survived by his wife, Jana Reeves; his daughter, Jennifer Crawford and husband, Chase of Iowa Park; his son, Ronald Bruce Reeves and his wife, Abbye of Lubbock; seven grandchildren, Olivia, Ike, Indy and Ash Reeves and Levi, Luke and Ella Crawford.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Buster Reeves; his step-father, Delbert Montgomery and by his precious granddaughter, Ava Claire Crawford, who he is now holding, loving on and showing off to everyone in Heaven.

Memorials may be made to Cook Children’s Health Foundation, 801 7th Ave., Fort Worth, Texas 76104 or the First Baptist Church, 420 N. Washington, Seymour, Texas 76380.

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