Ronald Roland Reeves

Ronald Roland Reeves (Ron), 83, of Muskogee OK, died February 23, 2025 at St Francis Hospital in Muskogee. He was born on September 30, 1941, to Wayne Paul Reeves and Muriel Evelyn (Scally) Reeves in Pauls Valley, OK. Ron enjoyed his early years in Pauls Valley, as youngest of his siblings and cousins he was spoiled by grandparents, aunts, uncles and other family members. Ron graduated from Pauls Valley High School in 1959. After graduation he completed basic training and officer's candidate school for the Oklahoma National Guard, then served for approximately 10 years in the Oklahoma National Guard and the New Mexico National Guard. Ron attended East Central State College in Ada OK, earning a bachelor's degree in education in 1965. While working as a teacher and counselor for the U S Bureau of Indian Affairs at Ft Wingate Elementary Boarding School in New Mexico, during the summers he returned to East Central State College and completed his master's degree in Guidance and Counseling in 1969. In September of 1969 Ron was accepted as a graduate student at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, working as a Graduate Assistant and Special Instructor in the College of Education where he met his wife Molly. They were married in 1972 in Okemah OK. In 1973 Ron became Coordinator for the Guidance Center for Cleveland County Health Department, continuing his graduate studies at the University of Oklahoma and completing his PhD in Counseling Psychology in 1974. It was during this time that his son and only child, Matthew (Matt), was born in February of 1974 in Norman OK. In July of 1976, Ron accepted the position of Coordinator of the Guidance Center at the Muskogee County Health Department and Ron, Molly and Matt moved to Muskogee. In February of 1986 Ron was promoted to Administrator of the Muskogee and Wagoner County Health Departments and continued in that position until his retirement from the Oklahoma State Department of Health in March of 1999 after 26 years, 7 months of service. Ron loved golfing with friends and working in stained glass. Ron and Molly spent their treasured time away from their jobs day hiking, particularly in the mountains and National Parks in the western United States and Canada. In later years, as their ability to hike in the mountains became more limited, birdwatching gave them the excuse to walk in nature and enjoy being outdoors. Ron is survived by his wife, Molly (Ratliff) Reeves of Muskogee, OK, and son Matthew Thomas Reeves (Matt) of Oklahoma City, OK. He is predeceased by his mother and father, brother Paul, sister Anita and many friends and relatives. Interment and a memorial service for family will take place Monday, March 3, 2025, at Highland Cemetery, Okemah, Okfuskee County, Oklahoma. Services will be under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Home, Okemah, Oklahoma.

Ronald Roland Reeves

September 30, 1941 - February 23, 2025