The keen memory of Crete, Neb., newspaper publisher Lloyd K. Reeves astounded his community through the years.
He could recall the history of local businesses, old train schedules, how local families were related and the details of athletic events. His mind remained sharp into his old age.
Reeves, 81, publisher of the Crete News, died Tuesday of congestive heart failure at BryanLGH Medical Center East in Lincoln. Services were held Saturday at Grace United Methodist Church in Crete.
"He loved high school athletics," said his son John Reeves, general manager of the Crete News. "He could tell you who the starting guard was on the 1955 basketball team, who his dad was and who his uncle was. He had a knack for remembering those things."
He had such an encyclopedic memory that, a few days before his death, he was compiling a list of Crete athletes from various decades who might be considered for a hall of fame.
Reeves' work in the newspaper business spanned seven decades, his son said.
He was born in Fairmont, Neb., and worked part time as a typesetter for the Palmer Journal while he was in high school.
He graduated from Doane College in Crete, where he worked on the school newspaper. After graduation, he worked full time at the Crete News while taking graduate courses at the University of Nebraska.
Reeves worked briefly for the York Republican and for the Custer County Chief in Broken Bow. He returned to the Crete News as manager in 1955.
He married Trudy Nolte, a Doane instructor, in 1960. Together the couple purchased the Crete News in 1971.
The Nebraska Press Association presented Reeves with its highest award, Master Editor-Publisher, in 1998.
Reeves also served as chairman of the administrative board of Crete's Grace United Methodist Church, where he was a lay leader and Sunday school teacher. He was a fundraiser for Doane College and past president of the Crete Chamber of Commerce, among numerous civic activities.
Besides his son, Reeves' survivors include his wife of 51 years; daughter Ann Bankson of Hordville, Neb.; son Thom Reeves of Lincoln; brother R. Dale Reeves of New Hartford, N.Y.; sister Ruth Kemling of Lincoln; and five grandchildren.
Contact the writer:
402-444-1052, jane.palmer@owh.com
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