Nelson A. Reeves

Nelson Adams Reeves, 64, of Jensen Beach There is a saying that goes "if you want to have a life full of friends, be friendly." Nelson A. Reeves, 64, was a friendly soul. He was someone you wanted to be around, someone you felt you knew and could trust, and he had many local friends and friends in states around the country, longtime friends and good friends he made in the past months as a volunteer with the American Cancer Society as he battled his own cancer and reached out to compassionately help others in the fight. Reeves, who prepared to die from the increasingly aggressive killer, suddenly died as a result of a hit-and-run driver February 17 as he rode his bike along the bike path on Hutchinson Island to give thanks and enjoy the blessings of another day. An angel driving on A1A saw the accident and stopped to help, and this new good friend was there at his side with a gentle voice as he took his last breath. Born in New Orleans and raised in Baton Rouge, Reeves has lived in South Florida since 1979, but never lost enthusiasm for his Louisiana State University Tiger's football. His other passions were scuba diving, boating and adventure. He explored sunken ships, coral gardens, caves and underwater destinations around the world logging more than 2,500 dives. His love for the outdoors drew him in later years to the mountains of Canada, Wyoming, North Carolina and Colorado, where he climbed 10 of Colorado's 55 "fourteeners" or 14,000-foot mountains. Known for his sense of humor and wry jokes that found a unique angle of comedy, he could always put a smile on a face. A certified public accountant for more than 30 years, Reeves mastered trust and built a reputable and respectable banking service industry building clients around the country, who eventually became friends. He retired this year to enjoy retirement years as he fought cancer, but decided to help others and reach out doing good deeds every single day making friends along the way. He is survived by his best friend and childhood sweetheart, Linda Reeves of Boynton Beach, FL; brother Paul and Betty Reeves of Baton Rouge, LA; Lucie and Paul Barilleau of Hammond, LA and nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Paul Sr. and Nellie Reeves. The family will receive friends 5-8 PM Friday, February 21, 2014 at TILLMAN FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, 2170 S. Military Trail, West Palm Beach, where prayers will be said at 5:30 PM. Further services and inurnment will take place in Louisiana. Memorial gifts may be sent to American Cancer Society of Broadmoor Baptist Church of Baton Rouge, LA.