Thomas Marion Reaves

IRMO—Thomas Marion Reaves, 74, of Irmo, died Thursday, February 9, 2017, at Lexington Medical Center, surrounded by his family and his wife of 51 years, Jeanne.
Born in 1942, in Mullins, SC, he was the eldest son of the late Marion Lester and Annie Bethea Reaves formerly of Dillon, SC.  He graduated from Dillon High School in 1960 and then Clemson University in 1966. Tom married his wife, the former Jeanne McKeown of Sumter in 1965.
His long and distinguished career began at Burlington Industries in Raeford, NC. Tom was a stockbroker at the former firm of Dickson, Powell, Kistler and Crawford in Columbia before he founded his own building company. He spent a decade in the residential construction business, building more than 400 homes that ranged from starter residences to custom construction projects to small multifamily units. He and his son-in-law, David Campbell, began in 1996 to purchase, rehabilitate, rent, and sell manufactured homes, as well as offer homes for purchase under land contracts. In 1998, the company expanded into development of mobile home communities, and later entered the REO land contract business. Under Tom’s guidance, the company thrived, and has now expanded nationwide to include a real estate brokerage and mortgage lending/servicing arm.
In 2015, Tom was given the NoteSchool Lifetime Achievement Award for his commitment to the owner-finance home industry, recognized for “always remaining focused on doing the next right thing, his continual demonstration of high moral business standards, and for his visionary leadership and entrepreneurial spirit.” His longtime friend and business associate, Eddie Speed of Dallas, TX, who presented him with the award, said “Tom had such an impact on me. He was an example of how to conduct business ethically and always with honor and respect for others.”
Tom’s employees lauded him for his selfless spirit and caring attention, despite the medical challenges that he faced over the past two years.
“It is a rare gift for someone to be able to always place themselves behind others, to serve as a way of life – and that is exactly the example Tom set for all of us,” said friend and colleague Chris Cobbs. “He was caring and engaging, always more interested in what others had to say, the stories they told, and the things that were important to them.”
Tom, who was honorably discharged from the National Guard in 1972, was a charter member of Calvary Bible Church, which was started in his home in Columbia. It later became Columbia Crossroads Church, and he served there as a deacon for many years. He was a board member at the St. Andrews Christian Academy, a board member MarketLife Ministries, and a member of the Capitol City Shag Club. He was a devout follower of Jesus Christ, a lover of the outdoors, and a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend.
Tom is survived by his wife, Jeanne; his sister, BJ Reaves Cromer and her husband, Tom; daughter, Amanda Reaves Campbell and her husband, David; son, Tom Jr., and his wife, Sara Beth; and his nine grandchildren, Thomas, Emily, Bryson, Elena, Blake and Trevor Campbell, Judson, Harry and McCutcheon Reaves, who called him “G-Daddy.”
The family gratefully acknowledges the loving care provided by Dr. James Wells and Dr. Jeffrey Libbey the oncology staff at Lexington Medical Center, as well as the professionals at Coram, LLC.
The family received visitors Sunday, February 12, 2017 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Temples-Halloran Funeral Home, 5400 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC. A funeral service was held Monday, February 13, 2017 at 2 p.m. at Seacoast Church, 500 St. Andrews Road, Columbia, SC conducted by Reverend James Gould and Reverend Jeff Shipman. Interment at the Bush River Memorial Gardens, 5400 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC will follow immediately after the service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Columbia Chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, 100 Executive Center Drive, Columbia, SC 29210 or Precept Ministries, 7324 Noah Reid Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421 in memory of Tom Reaves.
On-line condolences may be sent to www.templeshalloranfuneralhome.com.

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