55 years after Jim
View(s):Jim Reeves, a licensed pilot, once told an interviewer he averaged 10,000 miles a year, although he did most of his travelling by his
luxury coach.
The first inkling of that fatal air crash on July 31st, 1964, came to legendary singer, Marty Robbins. He had a habit of running outside into the rain and rinses his hair when it rains hard. Very often he did for fun. On this day when he was doing this, he heard a loud noise resembling an air crash in the nearby thickly wooded area. Then he rushed into the house and told his wife, ‘Somebody’s being killed there’. But at that time he did not know it was his longtime friend legendary Jim Reeves who was in that plane.
Minutes later, local airport authorities got to know Jim and his manager Dean Manuel were in the plane. Soon they swung into action; including some of Jim’s friends — Chet Atkins, Carl Smith, Stonewall Jackson, Floyd Cramer, Skeeter Davis, Red Folly, Dolly Parton, Dotti West and many more. Disc Jokeys, recording company executives, radio and TV personnel, all joined in the search. The searchers had half-prayed they wouldn’t find what they were looking for. But finally there was the wreckage. It had crashed onto the base of a huge oak tree instantly killing Jim and his manager. Jim’s body was still in the seat while Dean’s body was thrown few feet away from the plane.
Jim’s body was flown in a National Guard helicopter to his birthplace, Carthage, Panola County, Texas.
On Wednesday, 31st July, Jim’s 55th death anniversary was commemorated by the ‘Jim Reeves Fan Club’ in Sri Lanka
Though Jim’s name is forgotten in some countries, the Sri Lankan Jim Reeves Fan Club managed by Jayaratne Perera as its President, has not only kept Jim’s name right on top as the most requested artiste, but also has given rise to certain Jim Reeves impersonators, as well.
Therefore all Jim Reeves fans should be very grateful to this fan club for keeping Jim Reeves legacy alive up through the years.