He made a living by wrecking parts of Columbus. Dewey Reaves dies on 103rd birthday
He made his living wrecking major parts of Columbus to clear room for the progress that comes from redevelopment.
Dewey Reaves, the former owner of Reaves Wrecking Company, died Tuesday on his 103th birthday while receiving hospice care in his Lake Oliver home, his son, Bill, told the Ledger-Enquirer.
“It’s one of those deals that was a blessing when you get to that point,” he said.
Reaves Wrecking was part of prominent development projects in downtown Columbus that involved the W.C. Bradley Company, Synovus and Columbus State University, Bill said.
In a 2018 interview with the L-E, the list of buildings Dewey helped demolish included:
- The old Waverly Hotel on the site of the former Carmike corporate headquarters at 13th Street and First Avenue.
- The Elks Club and Paula’s Lounge in the 1300 block of Broadway on either side of what is now the Country’s restaurant.
- The old Sears building on Broadway.
- The first phase of Eagle & Phenix Mill in the mid-1970s on Front Avenue.
- Fred Ward’s Wrestling Arena on Front Avenue.
- The Armour Meat Packing building on Front Avenue.
- The Kilgore Funeral Home on Warm Springs Road where the Blue Cross/Blue Shield headquarters was built.
- An old ice plant at the corner of Broadway and Ninth Street.
“Anything major in Columbus, we did the lion’s share,” Bill said. “We had some competition, but most anything serious of any size, we usually did it.”
Bill’s grandfather, W.R. Reaves, started the company in 1946. D.H. Griffin Companies of Greensboro, N.C., bought Reaves Wrecking over a decade ago, but those Reaves containers still are seen at many local businesses and construction sites as part of the family’s waste management business.
“We are so appreciative to have the opportunity to be involved with so many terrific projects,” Bill said. “… We’re proud of that history.”
Bill also expressed gratitude for the community that cared about his father.
“What support and love, just pouring out,” he said. “… The Lord has certainly blessed us with dear friends and relationships in Columbus that are just priceless.”
Beyond his business, Reaves was active in the Elks Club and the Exchange Club. He also was known for growing food and making furniture for folks.
The graveside funeral Friday at Parkhill Cemetery will be private, Bill said. No visitation is scheduled.
“Dad was a quiet, reserved, private kind of individual, and he wanted no fanfare,” he said, “so we’re just having a small service with just our family.”
This story was originally published March 17, 2021 at 3:49 PM.
