Dexter Trent Reeves, age 71 of Lawrenceville, passed away late Monday night, December 14, 2020. He was lovingly surrounded by his family at his daughter’s home in Westfield, IN.
Born on July 25, 1949 in Elkhart, IN to Thomas M. and Crystal W. (Waggoner) Reeves, Dexter or Dex, as some would call him, was one of a kind. He wasn’t known for having a stellar resume, exuberating wealth, or over the top list of accomplishments, but what he was know for was his unique personality and his irreplaceable worth.
Dexter was quite the character to say the least. You could always find him cracking jokes, kidding around, and making people laugh. His family will treasure his playful sense of humor and his silly laugh (hee hee). He was known for playing jokes. For example, he would disguise items in candy wrappers such as dog food or ex-lax, hiding his laughter, and hand it out to friends or the kids in the family. Being inappropriate at the wrong time and playing his good ol’ country songs (and dancing) at all hours of the night, is something his family will always remember. There is not a single lyric Vern Gosden or George Jones sang that his daughters didn’t “learn” to love. While he had a tough guy persona on the outside, deep down he was a very kind, loving, and gentle man. His softer side could be attributed to raising many of his nieces and being the father to two daughters. He had to learn to accept playing dress up and allowing them to put curlers in his hair or paint his nails. He loved his family dearly and always looked forward to spending time with his kids and grandkids.
Dexters greatest enjoyment in life, besides his family, was going to the races, fishing, camping, playing pool, and working on cars and lawn mowers. He would refer to it as “just piddling”. The family jokingly referred to his work as “Dexter rigged” because he was the king of using duct tape or splicing things together.
Dexter was married for 42 years to Deloris (Cooper) Reeves who was a staple in his life’s journey. While their marriage ended, their friendship did not. Even in sickness she helped care for him.
In true Dexter fashion, it is imagined he called upon his baby sister, Dora Tamara “Tammy” Reeves, to join him in his journey from this life to the next so he did not have to go alone. She peacefully passed away one day after him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas M. and Crystal W. Reeves; daughter Tina Elaine Reeves; three sisters and four brothers. Surviving family includes two daughters, Amy Short and husband Brandon of Indianapolis, IN and Rebecca Hodges and husband Craig of Homosassa, FL; four grandchildren – Dustin, Courtney, Trevor, and Zayne; one sister Natoma Reeves of Vincennes, IN; three brothers Gary Reeves of Texas, Tom Reeves of Illinois, and James “Turk” Reeves of Lawrenceville, IL; significant other Sandra Sue James of Lawrenceville, IL and numerous nieces and nephews.
A public graveside service will be held for Dexter Trent Reeves at 1:00 p.m. CST on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 in Petty Cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made to Lawrence County Cancer Resource Center and Wig Shoppe. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.cunninghamfuneralhomes.com.