Irvin H. Reeves

Irvin H. Reeves August 12, 1928 December 13, 2014 Irvin Howard Reeves, 86, of Houston, died on December 13, 2014. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, December 22, at South Main Baptist Church, 4100 Main St. in Houston, where Dr. Steve Wells, Pastor, will officiate. A detailed obituary will appear in the Waco Tribune Herald on Thursday and Friday, December 18 and 19, and the Houston Chronicle on Sunday, December 21. Irvin was born in Hillsboro, Texas, on August 12, 1928, to Harry Sidney and Edna Grace Faglie Reeves. The youngest of five children, he spent his early childhood on the family farm in Tyler, Texas, before moving to Waco at age eight. He was a devoted son and brother, forming a life-long friendship with his older brother, Calvin. Irvin graduated from Waco High School and Baylor University, majoring in business. He later earned a graduate banking degree from Southern Methodist University. While in high school and college, Irvin worked at Ambold's Repair Shop as, in his words, the "general flunky." Older brother Calvin shortened the role to "Gen," a nickname that stuck for life. While buying an ad for Ambold's in the Waco High School newspaper, he met the beautiful senior, Kathryn Ann "Kay" Robertson, after which Irvin asked her out on their first date, and they married on June 21, 1952. Irvin served in the Army for two years during the Korean War at Camp Chaffey, Arkansas, and Camp Crowder, Missouri, before returning to Baylor to finish his degree. He began his banking career at Capital National Bank, Austin, before moving to Houston in 1966 to become Senior Vice President at Medical Center National Bank. Later he served as Presidents of Central National Bank and Buffalo Savings owned the First State Bank, Hitchcock and chartered the Texas First Bank Santa Fe with several partners. Additionally, he served as Chairman of the Board for the American Banking Association for three years. Irvin was a faithful member of South Main Baptist Church, where he founded the Men's Bible Class in 1989 and taught for many years. He was appointed as an Admiral in the Texas Navy, served as a Director of the Baptist Church Loan Organization and was a past member of Rotary Club International. Over the years, Irvin enjoyed memberships in various social clubs and the Baylor Alumni Association. Along with Kay, Irvin raised two daughters, was beloved by his five grandchildren, and doted on his twin great-grandsons. After Parkinson's Disease caused Kay to be homebound, he lovingly and tirelessly cared for her until his death. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Calvin Reeves; sisters, Edna Reeves and Leta Federwisch; and niece, Judy Federwisch Holze. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Kathryn "Kay" Robertson Reeves; daughters, Nancy Reeves Jungman and husband, John, of Dallas, Linda Reeves Walker and husband, Mike, of Houston; grandchildren, Jennifer Walker Emerson and husband, Thomas, Whitney Walker, Michael Walker, and Kathryn Jungman, all of Houston, and William Jungman of Atlanta, Georgia; great-grandchildren, Knox and Henry Emerson; sister, Billie Purvis, and brother-in-law, Alex Federwisch, both of Waco; his beloved niece and four nephews and their families; and numerous cousins. Irvin was blessed to have a group of compassionate, devoted caregivers during his final months of illness. The family especially thanks Alfreedom Rice, Marina Horsford and Marci Soto for many years of service to both Irvin and Kay. Honorary pallbearers are Deacons and members of the Men's Bible Class of South Main Baptist Church. In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to South Main Baptist Church Building Fund, 4100 Main St., Houston, TX, 77002.