Berchman "Bert" Lee Reaves

Berchman “Bert” Lee Reaves, 84, of Orange, passed away on May 17, 2020, in Orange.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Thursday, May 21, 2020, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. Officiating will be Lani Rousseau of First United Methodist Church of Orange. Burial will follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park.

Visitation will be prior to the service, beginning at 1:00 p.m., at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.

Born in Pear Ridge, Texas, on June 6, 1935, he was the son of James Martin Reaves and Victoria (Webb) Reaves. Bert graduated from Port Neches High School and later went on to receive a Bachelor of Science from Sam Houston and a Master of Education from McNeese State University. He was a faithful member of Deweyville United Methodist Church and the owner and operator of Reaves Christmas Tree Farm in Hartburg. Bert’s happy place was the outdoors, often enjoying hunting, fishing, and camping. He was a football, basketball, and track coach and taught science for a number of years, along with volunteering for Boy Scout camps. He enjoyed all of life’s adventures, big or small, escaping to the woods, and traveling every chance he had. Bert was an enduring family man, who was adored by his loved ones, and lovingly referred to as “Papa” to his grandchildren. He will be dearly missed by all those who came to know and love him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Victoria Reaves; loving wife of 41 years, Beverly Reaves; son, Jimmy Reaves; and brothers, Perry Reaves, Bob Reaves, and Bill Reaves.

He is survived by his daughter, Ginger Williams and husband Bart of Little Cypress; grandchildren, Jessica Reaves, Jennifer Williams, Jake Williams and wife Nicole, Julie Williams, and Victoria Wagner; great-grandchildren, Bryce Williams, Christopher Reaves, Fayelynn Wagner, Ridley Williams, Harbor Williams, and Ethan Wright; and sister, Edith Ann Cahal; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Deweyville United Methodist Church at PO Box 108 Deweyville, Texas 77614 or the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org .

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the wonderful caregivers at Best Hospice and Golden Years Assisted Living for the tender care they gave Bert in his time of need.