John J. Reeves

John J. Reeves, age 71, passed away Thursday afternoon, November 29, 2018, in the company of family and friends while in hospice care at Johnston Memorial Hospital. Since his retirement as a senior systems engineer with The MITRE Corporation, McLean, Va. in 2012, John lived with his wife of 39 years, Jan Rice Reeves, on Valley Street in Abingdon. 

John is the son of the late N.G. and Helena Reeves of Soperton, Ga. and was preceded in death by his beloved brother and sister, Will Reeves and Ling Reeves Stephens.  

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son, John Michael Reeves of Alexandria, Va., two nieces, three nephews and several cousins. 

John loved to read and study all his life. He graduated from Treutlen County High School (Soperton, Ga.) and Vanderbilt University. After serving in the U.S. Army during the Viet Nam era, John furthered his education by obtaining a Masters in Metallurgy from the University of Connecticut and a Masters in Systems Engineering from Northeastern University.  He volunteered his time locally with the Literacy Program, the Abingdon Rotary Club and the Washington County Democratic Committee. 

A Celebration of Life will be held on John’s birthdate Friday, February 22, 2019, at the Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, 19415 Lee Highway, Abingdon VA 24210, at 7:00 p.m. where guests are encouraged to share their memories of John and express words of condolence and sympathy. A private reception for family and friends will be held at the Forest Hills Chapel beginning at 5:00 p.m prior to the service. A committal service will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. at the Holston Conference Cemetery in Emory, Va.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Washington County Public Library Foundation, 205 Oak Hill Street, Abingdon, VA 24210, in John’s honor. 

The family would like to express their appreciation for the support they have received from friends during John’s illness and the loving attention to his family after his passing. 

The family of John J. Reeves is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service and Crematory, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, VA 24210 (276-623-2700).