Memorial Page:
This is a dedication page to those who are no longer with us. Feel free to send a dedication for family members. email webmaster@paradiseparkmasonicclub.com
Jim Reynolds Slide Show Click here to see a Slide Show from Jim's Family
Jim Reynolds
Born July 2, 1928 - Wray, Colorado
Passed January 5th, 2010 - Santa Cruz, California
Jim was born to Albert and Melvina Maude Reynolds, and spent his childhood growing up in northeast Colorado. Life was not always easy, especially during the depression years on the homestead farm. A small modest home on the sand hills of the Colorado plains, there he learned the hard lessons of hard work, caring for each other and faith in a greater power.
He was the oldest of four children himself, sisters Jerri, Patricia, and Nancy, always a loving brother. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings. Jim spent much of his youth working various jobs, at the local grocery, funeral home, and on the migrating wheat harvest. He became a member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at age eight, baptized in the North Platt river.
In High School at Fort Morgan Jim excelled in academics and Athletics, namely Football, basketball, and track. After graduation he traveled east to Lamoni, Iowa where he attended a 2 year college called Graceland. Again excelling in academics, sports, and student life. Here is where he met his beautiful wife Charlotte Engle of more than 62 years, this girl from New Jersey the daughter of an oil executive was not an easy catch for Jim but persistence and love paid off. Soon they were wed at a beautiful spot in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
After leaving Graceland they headed to Lawrence Kansas and the University of Kansas where he graduated with a Bachelors degree in business, all the time working his way through. At the University he had the opportunity to play basketball for the famous coach Fog Allan, but school, work, and a new family came first. But his love of KU and basketball lasted until the day he died.
With degree in hand and a new wife he headed east again to New Jersey and close to "Chars" family. There they began to start their family, Their first daughter Linda Lee was born in 1950, and their second daughter Cathie Ann was born in 1952 both in New Jersey. It wasn’t long however and they decided to migrate west with much of the extended family also to the Golden State of California, locating first in Fresno. There two more children were added to the family their only son James Rex Jr. and Janet Louise.
In the mean time Jim took jobs with various companies in the construction industry, selling heavy equipment to companies building highways across this vast country. He continued his education at Fresno State always believing in bettering himself, Jim was an avid reader. He obtained a Master degree in Education Administration, and went on to become a teacher and administrator in the schools around Fresno. In 1963 the calling of his lord and Savoir embarked him into a life in the priesthood of his life long church and became a fulltime church appointee. After pastoring in Fresno, the family was transferred to the Los Angeles area where they spent the next eight years in Arcadia and Woodland Hills. Jim became the Stake president of that region and touched countless lives both young and old in the spiritual and practical sense of day to day life.
In 1970 the family was transferred back to Independence Missouri, where the church world headquarters is located. Linda being old enough and married stayed in California. In the Midwest he continued his church work as leader of Blue Valley Stake, and his ministry continued. After the children were grown and in college he and Char were transferred to Northwest Missouri where he finished his full time church career. After retiring from the church he and Char returned to the Kansas City area where he embarked into a real estate and development career, always interested in creating and bettering the lives of people.
In the 1990s keeping a home in Independence and a life long home in Santa Cruz, California the two decided to make their home in Santa Cruz their permanent residence, being it was located amongst the coastal redwoods and in a temperate climate the choice was not hard. There he was active in the Paradise Park community and his local Masonic order, Jim was able to enjoy his children and great grandchildren and many wonderful friends in a beautiful environment.
Jim died in the early morning hours with his family holding him in their arms.
In no way can a mans life be explained in a few paragraphs, but if there ever was a man who was loved and loved back his family and fellow man it was Jim, a full full life. We Love you dad and will miss you terribly, go with God.
Dan and Jene Passmore
I am writing to extend our sincere sympathy to Charlotte and all of Jim's family. Jim's daughter Cathy and I have been dear friends for many years, celebrating the ups and downs of life, raising our families and in my case marriage. Jim married Dan and I in 1997 in a very personal, beautiful ceremony. During Jim and Char's visits to Liberty, he would see Dan and I together and always smile and say "guess the ceremony took didn't it?" During a recent visit we sat around a camp fire and listened to him talk about his life experiences - it was so interesting I could have listened to him all evening... but I think Char and Cathy were hushing him! He will leave a void on this earth and will be missed, but what a legacy he has left in all of you. God bless you, and may your memories bring you comfort.
Sincerely,
Dan and Jene Passmore
Trudy and John Dragivich
We want to express our sincere sympathy to Charlotte, and the family of Jim Reynolds.
For the time they lived in Independence, MO he touched the lives of many of our families, and in our case joined our daughter, Lisa, and son-in-law Jason, in holy matrimony.
This union resulted in the birth of our two precious grandchildren, Kylie and Cooper.
We recently sat around a campfire one evening when Jim and Char were back visiting in Liberty, and listened to Jim tell stories of his past. It was one of the most memorable evenings I’ve ever had.
Jim was a loving, caring, and a devoted family man. Fond memories of this wonderful man help lessen the grief we all feel.
Our prayers are with his family. May God bless and keep you during this difficult time.
Walker, Bonnie, Alcinda and Lagille
I loved the view show. Jim was such a gentleman and you can spell that as one word or two. His courtesy and compassion was so apparent to anyone who crossed his path. Please know that we share your joy in knowing Jim and count ourselves so fortunate to have had him in our lives.
Our love to you all,
Jim Reynolds - by Shirley Radder
To the sounds of bagpipes playing Amazing Grace, the body of Jim Reynolds, in a plain pine box built by the family, was lovingly lowered from the bed of a pick up truck at the west entrance of the covered bridge and carried across. Waiting on the other side of the bridge was a wagon drawn by two draft horses. The driver wore black, including a long coat and a top hat. Jim's family placed the pine box on the bed of the wagon and then climbed aboard to accompany the body to the cemetery at the end of Ocean Street. Those of us who watched this procession, followed at a dignified distance in golf carts with our headlights respectfully turned on.
You will be missed, Jim.
Shirley Radder
Below the horses, wagon, and driver move to the appointed place to receive the family.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fcp1CSVUu_s