Laird J Reeves
Laird J. Reeves age 95 of Elmwood, died Wednesday November 27, 2013 at the Heritage of Elmwood Nursing Home in Elmwood.
Laird John Reeves was born December 15, 1917 in Walnut Spring Texas to Wilber Clyde Reeves and Della Maude Wisdom. He spent his youth in the panhandle of Texas in the Town of Lelia Lake, graduating high school in 1937.
Having enlisted in the army shortly after graduation Laird was transferred from his first station at Alcatraz to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in 1940, and was stationed at Scoffield Barracks when the Japanese attacked on December 7, 1941. After reforming his battalion back on the mainland, Laird was sent to Bideman, England where he helped prepare for the liberation of Europe; landing on Utah beach D-Day +6, fighting through Belgium, the “Battle of the Bulge”, the liberation of Bastogne, and lastly the Battle of Nuremburg, Germany. Laird was awarded numerous campaign medals along with 5 Bronze stars
Shortly after his return from the war, Laird married Winogene Britton in 1946 and settled in Eau Claire, WI. In 1952 the couple moved to the Britton family farm near Spring Valley, Wisconsin, where they milked dairy cows and raised hogs. Laird drove school bus for the Spring Valley Schools and also a city bus for 13 years in St. Paul, MN. When he retired from driving bus, Laird entered semi-retirement; he and Winnie would winter in Texas, and he would farm the rest of the year, continuing this way until Winogene’s death in 1988.
In 1992 Laird married Myrtis (Brown) Howorth of Wickett Texas. Laird and Myrtis would spend their summers in Spring Valley and winters in Texas.
Laird was a careful steward of the land, and raised a garden to be proud of every year, sharing its bounty with those around him. He enjoyed country music, playing cards, and visiting. He loved babies and puppies, fried Okra, fresh corn on the cob, strawberries, and biscuits; he made the best banana ice cream around. When he laughed, it was impossible not to laugh with him.
Laird was a member in the Elmwood Methodist Church, and a life-long Christian. He displayed his faith through his word and his deeds, and died sure of the love of God.
Laird is survived by wife Myrtis of San Angelo TX, Step sons, Max Howorth of Sonora, TX, Johnny Howorth of Colorado Springs, CO and Jerry Howorth of San Angelo, TX; son-in-law James Tully of Marshall MN; five grandchildren, James Tully (and Susan) of Ramsey, MN; Coleen Tully (and Steve) of Tyler, MN; Michael Tully (and Bonnie) of Spring Valley; Daniel Tully of Baldwin; and Kathleen Tully of Big Lake, MN; great grandchildren, Patrick Foley, Melissa Barfknecht, Shannon Siverling, Breyen Thomsen, James, Megan, Brian, Kayla, Nathaniel, Derrik, Alexander, and Samantha Tully, Jessica Moffitt, Victoria Hatch and Gabrielle Moffitt; great-great grandchildren Hannah, Reuben, Zebulon, Abagail, Zechariah, Emma, Roland, Reece, Wyatt, Evelyn, Averie and Evan.
He was preceded in death by his parents, 4 sisters 3 brothers, first wife, Winogene, and daughter, Sally Rae Tully.