Jerry Edwin Reeves

     It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Jerry Edwin Reeves on December 21, 2025, in Olympia, Washington. Born on November 3, 1937, in Yuma, Arizona, Jerry lived a full and inspiring life with a firm dedication to his family and his profession.

     Jerry was a devoted husband to his beloved wife, Corinne Beth Reeves. In their 64 years of marriage, they raised a wonderful family with two sons, Andrew David Reeves, Gregory Edwin Reeves, and a daughter, Amy Catherine Reeves. Jerry is survived by his two siblings, Jan Arthur Reeves and Karen Jill Reeves Younkin. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin Everett Reeves and Amy Linnea Sundberg Reeves, and his grandparents David Spurgeon Reeves, Bertha Ellen Schumaker, August Sundberg, and Lydia Claudina Odlund Sundberg.

     While growing up in California his family spent many memorable summers in Portland, Oregon, where he was one of his maternal grandparents fourteen grandchildren. His grandmother endearingly called him “the King of the Grandchildren.” A grand family gathering at his dear Uncle Al and Aunt Edna’s home always marked the end of a summer filled with fishing, camping, and playing with his cousins.

     Becoming an avid sports fisherman inspired Jerry’s keen interest and dedication to fisheries science. This enriched his professional life as a scientist at the Washington State Department of Fisheries, then at the National Marine Fisheries Service at NOAA. He earned a Bachelor of Science from Humboldt State University, a Master’s from the University of California at Berkeley, and a Ph.D. at the University of Washington, Seattle.

Jerry’s professional journey reflected both his scientific rigor and his reverence for the natural world. During his career, he moved with his family from Seattle to Woods Hole, Massachusetts, Kodiak, Alaska, then returned to the Seattle area.

     As a student of history with a deep curiosity about the world around him, Jerry closely followed the political life of our nation. Early exposure to music led to his great joy and inspiration in a wide variety of musical styles ranging from folk, bluegrass, and jazz, to opera and symphony.

Jerry’s loyalty and honesty defined his relationships with family, friends and colleagues alike. His loved ones will remember not only his accomplishments but the warmth of his heart, his generous loving spirit, and certainly his endearing light-hearted wit and sense of humor.

     As we celebrate Jerry's life we will cherish memories of his laughter, his generous nature, many travel adventures, and the countless moments of joy he gave to us. He will be profoundly missed and forever remembered for the love he spread and the joy he brought into our lives.