Texico Superintendent Retires After Long Career in Education

CORRALES, N.M. – Last year, Texico Conference Education Superintendent Derral Reeve announced his plan to retire, and on March 1, 2022, Reeve officially concluded his education career that spanned more than four decades.

“I’ve been intricately involved with Adventist education since 1960 when I was a first grader in a small school in Brewster, Wash.,” said Reeve. “I’ve enjoyed every aspect of it as a student, teacher, principal and superintendent. My favorite part has been watching students learn and seeing them grow spiritually as they accept Jesus in their lives.”

Reeve worked as an Adventist educator for over 40 years and led the Texico Conference schools for the past 13 years. Prior to that, he served in Iowa, Minnesota, Alaska, Nevada, Utah and Wisconsin. Reeve had a passion for providing opportunities for students to grow and know Jesus personally through service on mission trips and involvement in outdoor school activities. Best known as “Mr. Reeve” by students and parents, Reeve was instrumental in starting four elementary schools in the Texico Conference. He was an advocate for planning additional schools so that kids throughout the conference had an opportunity to receive an Adventist education. 

Reeve also served as Club Ministries director during his tenure with the Texico Conference. His passion for Club Ministries resulted in 56 years of being involved in club activities. Reeve earned his Master Guide and other high level club training awards, which equipped him to mentor and train others to lead out in Club Ministries.

“I feel that the greatest accomplishment in my career was participating in more than a dozen mission trips,” said Reeve. “I witnessed many students share the love of Jesus, and, as a result, more than 500 people gave their lives to Jesus and were baptized.”

Joining him in retirement is his wife Barbara Reeve who accompanied Derral during 47 years of ministry and served as an administrative assistant at the Texico Conference for 15 years. Barbara served as the receptionist and as an assistant in the Education and Youth departments. Barbara shared Derral’s passion for the outdoors, education and Club Ministries, and was a big supporter of his ministry.

“The ministry contributions of Derral Reeve and Barbara Reeve have touched many lives, and the faithful service to the Lord has certainly been blessed by God,” said Phil Robertson, Texico Conference executive secretary/treasurer. “We are grateful for them and will always count them as members of our conference family. May God continue to bless them in all their future endeavors.”

Reeve will be remembered for his warm smile, love of nature, club activities, participation in mission trips and snapping pictures. The Reeves have since moved to Michigan and look forward to traveling and spending more time with their two daughters, two sons-in-law and six grandchildren.

The Texico Conference is seeking to fill Reeve’s position and hopes to have someone in place for the 2022-2023 school year.