Scott Lewis Reeves

SMYRNA - Scott Lewis Reeves, of Smyrna, died peacefully on Sept. 26, 2009, surrounded by his loving family. Scott was a loving husband, father, brother, uncle, and grandfather. He was born on March 24, 1937, in West Chester, Pa., son of the late Howard Nixon Reeves Jr. and Alma Dean Stewart. Scott attended and graduated from Ridley Township High School, PA Later, he graduated from West Chester University, PA with a Bachelor of Music degree. Scott was a true salesman and was quite successful working for Reedman Corporation in the 60's. He ventured into various businesses; owning an ice cream truck and later starting a craft business known as Newtown Crafts. Scott then taught music at the Junior High School level, but his true calling was always to be a performing musician playing Jazz Piano. He played professionally for over 30 years at venues from Florida to Maine. During those years he started a silk-screened T-shirt business called Nicely Stated. Scott also fulfilled his dream of creating his own jazz arrangements in his last years and these arrangements were performed by local high schools and the University of Delaware Jazz Band. Scott loved music his entire life and started playing the piano at the age of 4. He studied Classical Piano in his younger years, but later developed a love of Jazz. He was a virtual encyclopedia regarding Jazz and Jazz artists. There were many artists in the Jazz world who he admired. He enjoyed Mel Tourme and Elle Fitzgerald for their vocals and their ability to sing "Scat." He raved about seeing Maynard Ferguson in person and loved the sounds of Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Stan Getz. Scott never forgot his classical roots and his beloved Classical Pianist, Arthur Rubenstein. However, his idol and the man who he most admired and imitated in playing style was legendary Jazz Pianist Oscar Peterson. Scott enjoyed the beach, camping and trips to Chautauqua Institute in New York. He loved animals and especially enjoyed his trains at Christmas. He was of strong character and with a kind heart. Scott is survived by his wife of 31 years, Deborah; his three sons, Scott Reeves and wife Katy, Stewart Reeves and wife Susan, and Arthur Reeves; one daughter, Susan; four grandchildren, Sarah, Sean, Katie, and Owen; two brothers, Paul Reeves and wife Bonnie, and Howard Reeves and wife Cheri; two brothers-in-law, Andy Hardy and wife Ellen, and Ben Hardy and wife Debbie; a sister-in-law, Sarah Kline and husband Dan; and nieces and nephews. He will be dearly missed by all. A Remembrance Service will be noon, Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Wayside Inn, 103 N. DuPont Highway, Smyrna, where friends may call from 11 a.m. to noon. To send a letter of condolence, visit www.delmarvaobits.com. Arrangements are by Matthews-Bryson Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Smyrna.