James “Jim” D. Reeves, Sr., 87 of Waverly, died on April 13, 2026 at Centerpoint Medical Center.

He was born Sept. 2, 1938, in Cherokee County, Texas, to Ernest and Myrtle (Purdy) Reeves.

Jim grew up in Texas. He joined the Air Force as soon as he was able. After serving for five years, he started his career as a traveling iron worker. It took him all over the country. He spent most of the 1970’s in Texas, with stints in California and Missouri. He zigzagged back and forth where the work took him. On a trip in the 1980’s to Minnesota he met Colette Chopp. They were married on April 7, 1990 in Slater, but moved back to Minnesota for 10 years in the late 90’s-early 2000’s. They finally settled in Waverly the past 20 years.

Jim was proud member of the Ironworkers Local 482 from Austin, Texas.

He is preceded in death by four siblings: Bob, Kenneth, Rachel and Louise; a daughter, Trilby Reeves.

He is survived by his wife, Colette “Cookie” Reeves; sons: Ernest Reeves (Tabby) of Higginsville, Jimmy Reeves (Sally) of Glasgow, David Reeves of Malta Bend, Jerome Chopp (Barb) of Duluth, Minn., Joseph Eber (Andrea) of Duluth, Minn.; daughters: Susan Reeves of Slater, Teresa Reeves of Slater, Tina Vigliaturo (Eric) of Cloquet, Minn., Nanette Donnell (Ricky) of Concordia, Bobbie Mae Rowell (Randy) of Cloquet, Minn.; many many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 16, at 10 am at Kaiser ~Wiegers Funeral Home in Higginsville. Graveside Services will follow at 11:00 am at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to American Legion Post #223.