Charley Elmer Reaves

Reaves Charley Elmer Reaves, 84, passed peacefully Friday morning, July 4, 2014 at his home in Greensboro, NC after a courageous battle with bladder cancer. Born April 7, 1930 in Wayne County, NC, he was the son of the late Charlie Elmer Reaves and Stella Blackburn Reaves. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Carol Stewart Reaves, two sisters Beatrice Simon Reaves Getzen and Mary Alice Reaves Boyd, his stepson Steve Martin and nephew Robert Boyd. He is survived by his sister, Ruby Glenn Reaves Worley of Greensboro, NC; six nephews; one niece; and their families. Charlie spelled Charley on birth certificate and thus military records since 1951. He served in the US Air Force until he sustained injuries from a rocket attack in 1972 at Da Nang Airbase Vietnam. He was awarded 13 Metals and 5 Ribbons, the highest include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, Air Metal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Combat Readiness, Air Force Commendation, National Defense Service, Armed Forces Expeditionary and Vietnam Service Metal. He retired as a Lt. Colonel and Master Navigator after roughly 18 years of service and over 7,000 hours of logged flying time. In addition, Charley was a member of the Scottish Rite, a 32nd degree Mason. Charley will be remembered for his belief in Duty, Honor and Country, his faith and generosity. At Charley's request, his remains will be laid to rest beside his wife, Carol Stewart Reaves, at Union Cemetery in Columbus Ohio where he lived for nearly 45 years. A Memorial Service will be held in Columbus Ohio to honor Charley's memory on Monday, August 11, 2014 at 2 p.m. at the King Avenue United Methodist Church located at 299 King Avenue (corner of King and Neil), Columbus, Ohio 43201.