Roll Call Tribute
Radford "Lee" Reavis '64 June 7, 2016 3:36 PM updated: June 7, 2016 3:46 PM
Hillier Funeral Home - College Station obituary
4080 State Hwy 6 South
College Station, TX 77845
(979) 985-2060
Radford L. Reavis
March 2, 1942 - June 5, 2016
“I am an American Airman,
Guardian of freedom and justice,
My nation’s sword and shield,
Its sentry and avenger.
I defend my country with my life.”
--The Airman’s Creed
Colonel Radford Lee Reavis, USAF (Ret.)
After a lifetime spent in service to God, country and Texas A&M University, Colonel Lee Reavis passed away at Hudson Creek Alzheimer’s Special Care Center in Bryan after a lengthy illness on June 5, 2016, at age 74.
Lee was born in Lafayette, Louisiana, on March 2, 1942—the son of Radford and Tommie Reavis. Three years later, Lee’s younger brother Harold was born, and their bond as brothers has lasted a lifetime. From a young age, Lee was a farm kid who loved animals, a cowboy at heart as he tended both a milk cow and a variety of saddle horses throughout his youth. His passion for country living was matched only by his ardor for sports, and at school, Lee played football, baseball, basketball and ran track. Even when he was young, Lee proved to be a man of vision and influence, often working to convince his friends to attend college—as he would upon graduation from Alvin High School in 1960. He left home for Texas A&M and joined the Corps of Cadets (Squad 2) that same year, already devoted to his country. Then in 1964, Lee received his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from TAMU and accepted a commission in the United States Air Force through the Corps. Over time, Lee gained training as a Logistics Officer (in Biloxi, MS), then later as a graduate of Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. Additionally, Lee earned a Master’s degree in Counseling and Guidance from Troy State University (in Alabama) in 1976.
Lee’s training and experience led him to various posts, spanning the nation and the globe. His career began with his assignment as an Operations Supply Officer at Brookeley Air Force Base in Alabama. From there, he worked in maintenance data collection in Georgia before working as Logistics Program Manager for H-53 helicopters. Then in 1968, Lee’s service included a year in Vietnam for the Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group, where he was responsible for various types of aircraft stationed at more than 20 locations throughout Vietnam and Thailand. Later, Lee was transferred to Scott AFB (in Illinois) as a Supply/Maintenance Officer, then earned his way to a position as Chief of Logistics Plans and helped supervise rescue operations worldwide. In time, he worked with Tactical Air Command in Langley, VA (1972).
While at Langley, Lee met Jean Fuller Moffitt, and the couple spent time together during a Bible study class in Newport News, Virginia. Here, they fell in love and were married on January 1, 1974 and Lee became a father to Jean’s two sons, whom he loved as his own: Robert B. Moffitt II (and wife Donna) and Jeffrey F. Moffitt (and wife Michele). Lee spent hours with the boys, playing catch and developing strong family bonds.
During this time, Lee was also accepted for the USAF’s Institute of Technology Education with Industry program in Culver City, CA where he concentrated on radar and missile guidance systems. After that, his posts included locations in, New Mexico, as well as Germany where they enjoyed skiing, sightseeing and traveling throughout the country. Finally arriving at Kelly Field (Lackland AFB) in San Antonio, July of 1983. There, Lee served as Mobility Officer and Chief of Base Plans for the 2851st Air Base Group and was later reassigned as Chief of Supply. In September of 1986, Lee became Commander for the Air Force Cryptologic Support Center at Kelly. At this point in his military service, when other folks asked what Lee did for a living, he often summed it up this way: “If I tell you about it, I’ll have to kill you.” In the course of his career, Colonel Reavis’s awards included the Bronze Star and five Meritorious Service Medals. (Always proud of his Aggie status, Lee often wore maroon and white suspenders under his dress uniform). Prior to his retirement and the years following, Lee would lead Bible studies with young Air Force Officers and Corps of Cadets as well as teach Sunday School in Air Force Chapel and then at Living Hope Baptist Church.
After Lee and Jean relocated to College Station in 1992, life began to quiet down a bit. Lee still looked for chances to deer and dove hunt, to cowboy and trail ride with the San Antonio Rodeo every year. He stayed active by jogging with his dogs and playing racquetball (not to mention watching sports on TV), working in the Athletic Department at TAMU and returning to the Corps to teach Bible study. He and Jean valued their membership in Texas A&M University’s 12th Man Foundation and the Association of Former Students, as well as Living Hope Baptist Church in College Station. Their favorite roles have been within their family, as parents and subsequently, as grandparents.
Remembering Lee are a host of extended family and close friends (including Frank Cox, Bill McGee, and Bill Hutton), but missing him most are his loving wife of 44 years, Jean F. Reavis, their sons and daughters-in-law, Robert B. & Donna Moffitt and Jeffery F. and Michele Moffitt, and their four grandchildren: Robbie, Caitlyn, Claire and John, and his brother Harold Dwight Reavis.
The Reavis family would like to extend a special Thank You to the staff at Hudson Creek Alzheimer’s Special Care Center in Bryan as well as Hospice Brazos Valley for their loving care of Lee. Friends and family are invited to join in honoring the memory of Colonel Radford Lee Reavis by attending Visitation hours from 5-7pm on Friday, June 10, 2016, at Hillier Funeral Home in College Station. Life Celebration Services are to be held (at Hillier Funeral Home of College Station) on Saturday, June 11th, at 10 am. Burial will follow at the Aggie Field of Honor in College Station. In lieu of flowers, Lee’s family requests memorial donations be directed to the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M University or the Officers Christian Fellowship (3784 South Inca Street, Englewood, Colorado, 80110-3405).
Share memories and leave condolences at www.hillierfuneralhome.com.
Cemetery Details
Aggie Field of Honor
College Station, TX,
4080 State Hwy 6 South
College Station, TX 77845
(979) 985-2060
Radford L. Reavis
March 2, 1942 - June 5, 2016
“I am an American Airman,
Guardian of freedom and justice,
My nation’s sword and shield,
Its sentry and avenger.
I defend my country with my life.”
--The Airman’s Creed
Colonel Radford Lee Reavis, USAF (Ret.)
After a lifetime spent in service to God, country and Texas A&M University, Colonel Lee Reavis passed away at Hudson Creek Alzheimer’s Special Care Center in Bryan after a lengthy illness on June 5, 2016, at age 74.
Lee was born in Lafayette, Louisiana, on March 2, 1942—the son of Radford and Tommie Reavis. Three years later, Lee’s younger brother Harold was born, and their bond as brothers has lasted a lifetime. From a young age, Lee was a farm kid who loved animals, a cowboy at heart as he tended both a milk cow and a variety of saddle horses throughout his youth. His passion for country living was matched only by his ardor for sports, and at school, Lee played football, baseball, basketball and ran track. Even when he was young, Lee proved to be a man of vision and influence, often working to convince his friends to attend college—as he would upon graduation from Alvin High School in 1960. He left home for Texas A&M and joined the Corps of Cadets (Squad 2) that same year, already devoted to his country. Then in 1964, Lee received his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from TAMU and accepted a commission in the United States Air Force through the Corps. Over time, Lee gained training as a Logistics Officer (in Biloxi, MS), then later as a graduate of Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. Additionally, Lee earned a Master’s degree in Counseling and Guidance from Troy State University (in Alabama) in 1976.
Lee’s training and experience led him to various posts, spanning the nation and the globe. His career began with his assignment as an Operations Supply Officer at Brookeley Air Force Base in Alabama. From there, he worked in maintenance data collection in Georgia before working as Logistics Program Manager for H-53 helicopters. Then in 1968, Lee’s service included a year in Vietnam for the Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group, where he was responsible for various types of aircraft stationed at more than 20 locations throughout Vietnam and Thailand. Later, Lee was transferred to Scott AFB (in Illinois) as a Supply/Maintenance Officer, then earned his way to a position as Chief of Logistics Plans and helped supervise rescue operations worldwide. In time, he worked with Tactical Air Command in Langley, VA (1972).
While at Langley, Lee met Jean Fuller Moffitt, and the couple spent time together during a Bible study class in Newport News, Virginia. Here, they fell in love and were married on January 1, 1974 and Lee became a father to Jean’s two sons, whom he loved as his own: Robert B. Moffitt II (and wife Donna) and Jeffrey F. Moffitt (and wife Michele). Lee spent hours with the boys, playing catch and developing strong family bonds.
During this time, Lee was also accepted for the USAF’s Institute of Technology Education with Industry program in Culver City, CA where he concentrated on radar and missile guidance systems. After that, his posts included locations in, New Mexico, as well as Germany where they enjoyed skiing, sightseeing and traveling throughout the country. Finally arriving at Kelly Field (Lackland AFB) in San Antonio, July of 1983. There, Lee served as Mobility Officer and Chief of Base Plans for the 2851st Air Base Group and was later reassigned as Chief of Supply. In September of 1986, Lee became Commander for the Air Force Cryptologic Support Center at Kelly. At this point in his military service, when other folks asked what Lee did for a living, he often summed it up this way: “If I tell you about it, I’ll have to kill you.” In the course of his career, Colonel Reavis’s awards included the Bronze Star and five Meritorious Service Medals. (Always proud of his Aggie status, Lee often wore maroon and white suspenders under his dress uniform). Prior to his retirement and the years following, Lee would lead Bible studies with young Air Force Officers and Corps of Cadets as well as teach Sunday School in Air Force Chapel and then at Living Hope Baptist Church.
After Lee and Jean relocated to College Station in 1992, life began to quiet down a bit. Lee still looked for chances to deer and dove hunt, to cowboy and trail ride with the San Antonio Rodeo every year. He stayed active by jogging with his dogs and playing racquetball (not to mention watching sports on TV), working in the Athletic Department at TAMU and returning to the Corps to teach Bible study. He and Jean valued their membership in Texas A&M University’s 12th Man Foundation and the Association of Former Students, as well as Living Hope Baptist Church in College Station. Their favorite roles have been within their family, as parents and subsequently, as grandparents.
Remembering Lee are a host of extended family and close friends (including Frank Cox, Bill McGee, and Bill Hutton), but missing him most are his loving wife of 44 years, Jean F. Reavis, their sons and daughters-in-law, Robert B. & Donna Moffitt and Jeffery F. and Michele Moffitt, and their four grandchildren: Robbie, Caitlyn, Claire and John, and his brother Harold Dwight Reavis.
The Reavis family would like to extend a special Thank You to the staff at Hudson Creek Alzheimer’s Special Care Center in Bryan as well as Hospice Brazos Valley for their loving care of Lee. Friends and family are invited to join in honoring the memory of Colonel Radford Lee Reavis by attending Visitation hours from 5-7pm on Friday, June 10, 2016, at Hillier Funeral Home in College Station. Life Celebration Services are to be held (at Hillier Funeral Home of College Station) on Saturday, June 11th, at 10 am. Burial will follow at the Aggie Field of Honor in College Station. In lieu of flowers, Lee’s family requests memorial donations be directed to the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M University or the Officers Christian Fellowship (3784 South Inca Street, Englewood, Colorado, 80110-3405).
Share memories and leave condolences at www.hillierfuneralhome.com.
Cemetery Details
Aggie Field of Honor
College Station, TX,
505 George Bush Drive
College Station, TX 77840
(979) 845-7514
When Aggies see a need, their energy and their selflessness draw others into the cause, and good things happen.
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