The Very Reverend James A. Reeves

The Very Reverend James Allen Reeves, 65, retired Episcopal priest, died Sunday, June 23, 2002, at his Greenbank home of natural causes.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, June 26, at 6:15 p.m., at St. Steven’s Episcopal Church in Oak Harbor. The casual service is open to the public.

A funeral service, followed by inurnment, will be held at St. Peter’s Episcopal Cathedral in Helena, Mont., (406) 442-5175. The date and time of the Helena service is tentatively set in July or August with a final date yet to be determined.

Surviving are his wife Eve; sons Neil and Glen Campbell of Seattle; Bruce Campbell of Helena, Mont.; and sister Marilyn Ash Smart of Jackson, Wyo.

Other survivors include his six grandchildren: Megan, Lauren, Connor, Kasidy, Alec and Ambria Campbell along with extended family that included nephews Greg Ash (Debra), Mike Ash (Reiko) and niece Susan (Larry Warren).

Born on May 11, 1927, in Pampa, Texas, Jim grew up in nearby Miami, Texas, where he graduated from high school in June of 1955. Jim earned his pilot’s license at the age of 16. Jimmie studied engineering at Oklahoma State University until the Space Program stole him away to Florida, in January of 1957. The next 12 years, Jim worked in the missile defense and race to space programs for RCA, Barnes Electronics, Dalmo Victor and Sylvania in advanced electronics. During this exciting time in our national history, Jim traveled extensively overseas including Africa, South America, Europe and the Caribbean.

In a sudden change, Jim was called to the service of God. He attended the Episcopal Seminary in Alexandria, Va., and Salisbury, England and was ordained a minister at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco in June of 1972.

The Lord works in mysterious ways. Jim’s first church was the Church of the Incarnation in Great Falls, Mont., where he was ordained a priest in January of 1973. While in Great Falls he met Eve Campbell and they were married on Dec. 31, 1973. Eve brought Jim a ready-made family of three sons: Neil, Bruce and Glen.

After the marriage, Jim became the assistant at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Helena, Mont., in 1974, becoming the Dean of the Cathedral on 1975. Father Jim served as Dean for six years. After moving to Big Fork, Mont., Jim served as the rector at St. Andrews in Polson, Mont. from 1986 until he retired in 1996 for health reasons. Jim and Eve moved to Greenbank in July of 1996.

Jim enjoyed his retirement by boating and joining the Coast Guard Auxiliary. He was an active member of St. Stephen’s in Oak Harbor and St. Augustine in Freeland doing Sunday and healing services at those and neighboring parishes.

Memorials in honor of Jim Reeves may be sent to: St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 555 SE Regatta Drive, P.O. Box 1800, Oak Harbor, WA 98277.

Arrangements and cremation under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel.