Dr. John David Reeves

John David Reeves, MD of Shreveport, LA passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home surrounded by his loving family and friends on Sunday, February 1, 2026. He was born in Little Rock, Arkansas on August 5, 1958 to James Andrew Reeves Sr (1928 – 1996) and Reba Hope Simpson Reeves (1928 – 2007).
John was a 1976 graduate of Captain Shreve High School, where he played on the state championship football team of 1973, the only team from the Shreveport-Bossier area ever to win a football state title. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Louisiana State University in 1980, where he served as president of Theta Xi Fraternity. He went on to complete medical school and neurosurgery residency at LSU Medical School in New Orleans, which included a training stint at Harvard Medical School in Boston and research at the University Hospital Zurich in Switzerland. Through his education, he was closely mentored by the late Dr. David G Kline, whom he admired greatly. Dr. Reeves practiced as a neurosurgeon in Wichita Falls, TX at United Regional Healthcare for 25 years before returning to Shreveport in 2017 to practice at Willis Knighton Health until his cancer diagnosis in late 2025. Dr. Reeves was greatly admired and respected by his patients, colleagues and peers, dozens of which were present to show their collective support and respect for a final farewell at the hospital leading into his final days. A godly man at his core, his approach to practicing medicine was rooted in a natural-born calling to help people. Dr. Reeves is remembered for his steady compassion, attentive bedside manner, sharp wit, lively operating room playlists, and sense of humor on the hospital floor.
John was a loving husband to Jamie Reeves, with whom he shared 15 beautiful years, including nine spent in their cherished sanctuary on Cross Lake with their dogs Kojo, Reba, Khloe, and Joker. He was a devoted father to daughters Ashley and Hannah, always present to offer gentle guidance, thoughtful wisdom and silly sarcasm. He would often lighten serious or mundane moments with a subtle joke, a goofy hat, or some off-rhythm dance moves in the kitchen. John was a devout Catholic who appreciated learning about the detailed history and intricacies of his faith. He enjoyed simple pleasures like a smooth cigar, a glass of good bourbon on the rocks, a bologna sandwich, Bluebell Homemade Vanilla ice cream, and hobbies like gardening, boating, listening to music, and solving a good puzzle.
John is survived by his adoring wife, Jamie Beth Woodruff Reeves; his daughters, Dr. Ashley Elizabeth Reeves (wife to Trent Bullard) and Hannah Margaret Reeves, whom he shared with their mother Rebecca Pauli Reeves; and his first granddaughter on the way, Violette Jeanne Bullard. He is also survived by his siblings James Andrew Reeves Jr (husband to Lea Ann Reeves) and Rebecca Reeves Belcher (wife to Keith Belcher) and many much-loved cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Funeral services will proceed with a rosary and visitation at Osborn Funeral Home in Shreveport, LA from 5-7pm on Friday, February 6. The memorial service and mass, celebrated by Fr. Howard, will be held on Saturday February 7 at 11am at St Joseph's Catholic Church. The livestream of the mass will be available on the St Joseph's website - https://www.stjosephchurch.net/. A reception to follow the mass will be held at John and Jamie's home on Cross Lake (7332 Saybrook Circle). For those who are unable to attend services, they can honor John's memory today by taking the time to listen to Little Feat's 1978 live album "Waiting for Columbus," some John Hiatt or Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to The Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation or New Orleans Bulldog Rescue.