Charles W. 'Sam' Reeves

Charles W. ‘Sam’ Reeves, 86, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, passed away Monday, February 5, 2018, in the comfort of his home.

Mr. Reeves was born January 23, 1932, in Gillis, Louisiana. He’s the son of Harry Robert and Lucille Jones Reeves. He was a graduate of LaGrange High School and attended McNeese State University where he studied horticulture. His love of horticulture came from working his younger years in the family business on Kirkman Street, Reeves Garden Center and Camellia Garden. He worked many years in the Roadside Development Division of the Louisiana State Highway Department, helping plan and development roadside parks. He retired from many years of service in the Electronics Department.

Charles was a rosarian, having planted and cared for over 100 roses at his home in Lake Charles. He was a member of the Southwest Louisiana Rose Society.

He raised cattle, quarter horses, and hay in Longville where he also owned Reeves Tractor Company. He spent many enjoyable hours cutting and baling hay on his farm.

Mr. Reeves loved sports and played football at LaGrange and McNeese where he was an outstanding running back. Retirement years afforded him the opportunity to attend McNeese football games and play golf each week with close friends.

He loved Trinity Baptist Church where he and Ann were married 60 years ago. He was an ordained deacon and served as a greeter and an usher. He loved attending the Wednesday night supper where he served on the kitchen committee for many years. On that committee he helped for years with Vacation Bible School.

A veteran of the Korean Conflict, Charles served with honor in the United States Navy on the minesweeper, USS Surfbird, conducting sweep and blockage operations between Wonsan and Hungnam, Japan. He was a member of the USS Surfbird Associations. He spoke about a ship in front of them blown up by a magnetic mine during sweeping operations near Wonsan Harbor and when they had to put out to sea to ride out a typhoon.

Charles is survived by his wife of 60 years, Elizabeth Ann Sadler Reeves, son Charles W. Reeves, Jr. and wife Suzanne Abraham Reeves, and their sons Nicholas Abraham and Jacob Charles Reeves of Lake Charles, and daughter Holly Gail Reeves Wilson and husband James Foster Wilson of Baton Rouge and their children, James Thomas of New York, Sarah Elizabeth of New Orleans, and Rachel Ann of New York.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry R. and Lucille Jones Reeves, infant twins Charles Robert and Lee Ann Reeves, grandson Charles Alexander Reeves, and his sister Betty Reeves Richards.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, February 7, 2018 from 1PM-3PM at Johnson Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 3PM officiated by Reverend Steve James. Cremation was entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home.