Rev. Earl W. Reff, 71, Watertown

WATERTOWN, NY — Our beloved father, Pastor Earl W. Reff, 71, pastor of the Fellowship Baptist Church on Arsenal Street, stepped into the wonder of heaven on Sunday, Feb. 24, surrounded by his loving family. He had been a patient at the Samaritan Medical Center since Feb. 13.

Family and friends are invited to gather with us to honor his life on Friday, at 11am, at the Fellowship Baptist Church with calling hours 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday.

The youngest of six children, Earl was born Nov. 28, 1947, in Clayton, the son of Earl Franklin and Louise Harding Calhoun Reff. In his youth he attended Lyme Central School in Chaumont.

Cherished husband of 52 years, he married his sweetheart and love, Linda Corwin, on April 15, 1967, at the Clayton Methodist Church.

Earl worked for Morrison’s Furniture for nearly 20 years before following God’s calling on his life to enter the ministry. He attended Spurgeon Baptist Bible College in Mulberry, Florida, graduating in 1995. After graduation the Lord guided his steps back to Watertown, and he became the Pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church in November of 1995.

A life abundantly blessed, he was a kind and compassionate man who loved and was loved by many.  He was a man who invested himself in people and shared his great faith not only through his words, but by the actions of his life.  He enjoyed wood working and carving, playing his guitar, hunting, fishing and watching the birds on his back deck.  He was the Dean at Moose River Baptist Youth Camp for many years, where he was always in the midst of the activities with the children and was a favorite target of the “dunking booth”.  To his own children he is most remembered for making time for the little things and being available for the big things.

Surviving besides his wife Linda are three daughters, Lorrie (Philip) Weber of Lyons Falls, Lisa Cordero of Watertown, and Tammy (Robert) Stoudt of Watertown; nine grandchildren; five great grandchildren; five sisters, Nancy Walters of Rochester, Carol Happ of Batavia, Joyce Reed of Albion, Rosalyn Goutremont of Chaumont, and Norma Zanker of Tennessee; nieces and nephews; two Aunts, Gloria Calhoun and Clara (Polly) Reff.

Arrangements are with the T.R. Jetty Funeral Home in Clayton.

Condolences can be made at trjetty.com