Posey Avery Reeves

1899 - 1959

 

 

 

    Posey Reeves of Oklahoma City, is shown here in his dual overhead cam Hal car that he raced at both Winfield, Kansas and Wichita, Kansas in 1933  – Don Radbruch collection

     According to Jack Earl, "This guy always ran last; just out to have fun.  He had a wrecking yard in Oklahoma City".

     The #500 car returned to Winfield in 1934, but with Waldo Barnett entered as driver.  Again, from Jack Earl:  "He (Reeves) put Waldo Barnett in the car one time.  After qualifying, he told Barnett to get out as he went too fast and got the car all dirty."

       Reeves suffered a stroke c1952 and passed away in 1959.  He is buried in Resthaven Cemetery in Oklahoma City.

     

Posey Reeves at the Kansas State Fair at Hutchinson, Kansas in 1937 – Charles Pauley photo

 

 

Posey Reeves at the Kansas State Fair at Hutchinson, Kansas – Don Radbruch collection

 

 

Posey Reeves purchased this Hal powered car from Peaches Campbell of Tulsa, Oklahoma at the end of World War II.  He referred to this car as a “Bausche Hal” but it is unclear why – Don Radbruch collection

 

 

Posey Reeves seated in his first race car – Effie Meshew collection

 

 

 

Death Takes Retired City Auto Racer

Posey Avery Reeves Dies at 59

          Veteran city auto racer Posey Avery Reeves, 59, died Thursday morning in Capitol Hill General Hospital.

          Reeves, who had been retired from racing since 1949, had suffered from high blood pressure but had not been hospitalized since his first stroke occurred seven years ago.  He was stricken in his home at 31 SE 44th (in Oklahoma City) Wednesday night.

          A 26-year veteran of auto racing, Reeves was never seriously injured although he used to crash drive through burning walls and perform other stunt driving some 30 years ago.

          Born in Waxahachie, Texas he moved to Carter, Oklahoma with his family when they homesteaded in 1909.  He came to Oklahoma City about 30 years ago.

          He devoted summer months to racing following state fair circuits through Minnesota and the Dakotas.  He had been employed as an airplane mechanic at Tinker Air Force Base, as a trailer and body builder with the H & H Equipment Co., and as a transport driver.  He was a Shriner and a 32nd degree Mason and attended the Methodist Church.  He is survived by his wife, Lillian of the home; his mother, Mrs. Annie Reeves of Carter, Oklahoma; a brother, Grandville Reeves also of Carter; and a sister Mrs. Swift Lundy of Elk City, Oklahoma.  Services are pending at the Hunter Funeral Home.