Tribute

Warren Reeves, 65, died at home surrounded by family, Saturday, February 23, 2013, of progressive pulmonary fibrosis.

Skip was born April 6, 1947, Easter Sunday, in Longview, Wash. to Warren and Betty Reeves. He grew up in Kelso, Wash., graduating from Kelso High School in 1965. Following high school, Skip began his college education at Willamette University as a music major. Disenchanted and restless, Skip withdrew from Willamette and joined the U.S. Army, serving overseas in Vietnam and Germany. Returning home from military service, Skip married his high school sweetheart (though he took his sweet time letting her know it), Kathy Clark, August 27, 1969. Skip and Kathy made their first home in Seattle, where sons Derrick and Matt were born while Skip completed a B.A. in Industrial Arts at the University of Washington. Skip and Kathy then moved their family to Battle Ground, where daughter Amy was born.

Skip began a 30-year career in education as an ag teacher, football coach and administrator at Battle Ground Schools. Regardless of title, Skip was a tireless advocate for children. He is also fondly remembered for his long tenure as the “voice of the Tigers,” the announcer for Battle Ground High School basketball.

Skip accepted a position as the superintendent of Odessa Schools in 1998, relocating to Odessa with wife Kathy. Skip also moved his parents to Odessa at the same time, so that he and Kathy were able to care for them until their deaths. He was a well-loved and highly respected community leader.

Famously pragmatic and quick to reject meaningless fluff, Skip was an avid conversationalist and active outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing with his friends and family, especially if it got him out of mowing Kathy’s lawn. He looked forward to trips to Idaho and Montana to hunt and camp with his sons, and fish with beloved cousin Dan. Despite his illness, Skip fulfilled a life-long dream of harvesting a moose in Alberta, Canada, with both his sons in 2011.

He was very competitive and enjoyed sports of all kinds, particularly football and basketball. Much to his wife’s chagrin he subscribed to ESPN later in life, enjoying long afternoons “glued to the tube.” Skip was fervently dedicated to family. He was an avid student of the Bible and a member of Christ Lutheran Church, where he served as a lay minister and council member. He was especially fond of Saturday morning Bible study with his beloved friends Pat, Dave and other brothers in Christ.

Skip was preceded in death by parents Warren and Betty and brother Charles.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Kathy, son Derrick (Tera), son Matt (Sonja), daughter Amy, sister Jeanna (Hans) Sebald, grandchildren Katie, Wyatt, Savannah, and Riley, cousins, beloved brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, mother and father-in-law, and many cherished friends.

It was important to Skip that the dignity afforded by Hospice home care for the terminally ill be available to those who need it. To that end, memorial contributions may be made to Assured Hospice of Moses Lake, 1417 S. Pioneer Way, Moses Lake, WA 98837.

Services will be held at Christ Lutheran Church in Odessa Saturday, March 2, at 2 p.m., with Danekas Funeral Home of Ritzville in charge of arrangements.