Reeves Ham

Ivey Reeves Ham, 82, of Brenham, Texas, peacefully and gracefully passed away on the evening of January 29, 2022.

With deep family roots in the William Penn area, Reeves was born to Ivey and Edna (Eickenhorst) Ham on December 11, 1939, at St. Francis Hospital in Brenham, TX. He was baptized on January 28, 1940, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church and confirmed on August 3, 1955, at First Lutheran Church in Pasadena, TX. Reeves grew up in Pasadena, TX, where he graduated from Pasadena High School in 1958.

Moving back to Brenham with his family, he attended Brenham Blinn College and graduated with an Associate of Arts in 1961. In 1965, Reeves graduated from Sam Houston State College with a Bachelor of Business, and after graduation, Reeves remained an active and current member of the alumni association of Sam Houston State University. In the early 1960’s, Reeves served as an army reservist.

From 1965 to 2015, Reeves Ham dedicated his time to both insurance and ranching. Reeves worked as an insurance agent and salesman. Over the years, he enjoyed working outdoors and raising cattle. Former organizations include the Brenham Jaycees, the Independent Cattlemen’s Association, and the Prairie Hill Shooting Club. In recent years, he maintained a membership with the Heritage Association, Sherriff’s Association of Texas, the National Rifle Association, and was benefactor of Hillsdale College.

As a lifelong believer and follower of Jesus Christ, Reeves was a member of St John’s Lutheran Church in Prairie Hill, and Bethlehem Lutheran Church in William Penn. Throughout the years, he chaired a variety of positions on church boards and councils, and he was a dedicated member of the congregations.

An avid storyteller, Reeves frequently told stories about his days as an Army Reservist, his high school escapades with his buddies, adventures with his sister, and picking cotton with his family. He also held the knowledge of numerous generational stories. Though there were many important figures in Reeves’ life, he spoke highly of his relationship with his maternal grandparents, Henry and Minnie Eickenhorst.

Reeves loved talking to his friends and family on the phone. He was known to answer any phone call by stating “call your name” and concluding with “over and out.” If he agreed with you, he would remark, “If you’ve ever said the truth, you’ve said it now.” A man of many names, he was known to his children and grandchildren as “Daddy,” “Dad,” “Deda,” and “Pops.”

He enjoyed the music of the 1950s and watching Westerns and Blue Bloods. In his younger years as an outdoorsman, he bred bird dogs, and he enjoyed riding and training his horses. In the early 1960s, he once rode the Salt Grass Trail. He loved to play dominos and barbecue with family and friends.

Surviving family includes his children; daughter, Mary Paige Hankins and husband Clay, son, Ivey Reeves Ham, Jr., and son, Michael Lee Ham and wife Amy; and three grandchildren, Sydney Hankins-Wright and husband Dan, Natalie Hankins, and Hudson Lee Ham. He is survived by his sister, Edna Bernice (Ham) Gaskamp; and nieces, Peggy Gaskamp and Robin Levatino, and nephew, Brent Gaskamp.  He is also survived by the mother of his children, Mary Frances (D’olive) Koenning. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ivey Lee and Edna Ann Ham; and brother-in-law, William R. Gaskamp.

The visitation will be held from 5 to 7 P.M. on Friday, February 4, 2022, at Memorial Oaks Chapel, Brenham, TX. Funeral services are scheduled at 10 A.M. on Saturday, February 5, 2022, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. Pastor Mark Moldenhauer will be officiating. Pallbearers are grandson, Hudson Ham; nephew, Brent Gaskamp; cousins, Jeff Schwartz, Trenton Schwartz, Greg Gaskamp; and family friend Eddie Love. Serving as honorary pallbearers are lifelong friend Dane Whitworth; and cousins Fordie Ham, Jimmy Wallace, and Lester Wallace.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 10202 FM 1935, Brenham, TX, 77833. Memorial contributions may also be made to Sam Houston State University, University Advancement Box 2537, Huntsville, TX 77341-2537.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 West Main Street, Brenham, TX, 77833.