James A. Reeves
James Allen Reeves, 65, of Greenbank, a retired Episcopal priest, died June 23, 2002, at his home of natural causes.
A memorial service was held June 26 at St. Steven’s Episcopal Church in Oak Harbor.
A funeral service and inurnment will be held at St. Peter’s Episcopal Cathedrall in Helena, Mont. The Helena service is planned for July or August.
Born May 11, 1927, in Pampa, Texas, Mr. Reeves grew up in nearby Miami, Texas, where he graduated from high school in June 1955. He earned a pilot’s license at the age of 16. He then studied engineering at Oklahoma State University, until the space program stole him away to Florida in 1957.
For the next 12 years, Mr. Reeves worked in advanced electronics in the missile defense and “race to space” programs for RCA, Barnes Electronics, Dalmo Victor and Sylvania. During this time, he traveled overseas extensively, including Africa, South America, Europe and the Caribbean.
In a sudden change, Mr. Reeves was called to the service of God. He attended Episcopal seminary in Alexandria, Va., and Salisbury, England, and was ordained a minister at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco in June 1972.
The Lord works in mysterious ways. Rev. Reeve’s first church was the Church of the Incarnation in Great Falls, Mont., where he was ordained a priest in January 1973. While in Great Falls he met Eve Campbell, and they were married Dec. 31, 1973. Eve brought him a ready-made family of three sons: Neil, Bruce and Glen.
The Rev. Reeve then became the assistant at St. Peters Cathedral in Helena in 1974, becoming the dean of the cathedral in 1975. He served in that position for six years. After moving to Big Fork, Mont., he served as the rector at St. Andrews in Polson, Mont., from 1986 until he retired in 1996 for health reasons. He and Eve moved to Greenbank in 1996.
The Rev. Reeve enjoyed his retirement by boating and joining the Coast Guard Auxiliary. He was an active member of both St. Stephen’s in Oak Harbor and St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church in Freeland, and did Sunday and healing services at those and neighboring parishes.
Surviving The Rev. Reeve are his wife, Eve; sons Neil and Glen Campbell of Seattle, and Bruce Campbell of Helena, Mont.; a sister, Marilyn Ash Smart of Jackson, Wyo.; six grandchildren — Megan, Lauren, Connor, Kasidy, Alec and Ambria Campbell — and an extended family that includes nephews Greg Ash (Debra), Mike Ash (Reiko) and niece Susan (Larry Worn).
Memorials may be sent to St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 555 SE Regatta Drive, P.O. Box 1800, Oak Harbor, WA 98277.
Arrangements and cremation are under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.
