Obituary of Jerry Homer Reynolds

The Reverend Jerry H. Reynolds passed away Thursday, November 12th after a lengthy illness. Jerry was born 12/26/1933 in DeSoto, Missouri to Harry and Blanche (Merrill) Reynolds. He served in the US Army, a veteran of the Korean War, from 1953 – 1956. Upon his return from service, he married his sweetheart, Almarie Daniels, on June 15, 1956 and set about raising a family as a carpenter. Later in life, he received his calling and went into seminary to become a pastor for the United Methodist Church, being ordained in 1975. Jerry served the Northeast and Southeast Missouri Methodist District for decades, including Lewistown, Lancaster, Campbell, and Sikeston as his main charges. He retired to Doniphan in 1996, but never lost his strong connection to the ministry, frequently filling in for other pastors or serving as interim pastor for churches in the southeast Missouri area. He continued to teach his Sunday School class at Doniphan United Methodist Church, as well as co-pastoring the Tucker Methodist Church with his wife until January 2020 when he became ill. Jerry was especially fond of his dogs, and really loved puttering around his “farm” south of Doniphan. He was often seen out on his tractor or on a mower, trimming grass and mulching leaves with a passion. His family and friends remember his quick wit and sense of humor, and how uniquely he could bring this into his sermons and his conversations. Jerry leaves behind his wife of over 64 years, Almarie; their daughter Linda Reynolds of Doniphan; son Mark Reynolds and his wife Karen of Brighton, TN; son Keith Reynolds and his wife Tracy of Pendleton, IN; and two daughters-in-law, Kathy Paxton of Hannibal and Robyn Reynolds of St. Charles; his sister Erna Melkus of DeSoto; brother Ralph Reynolds of DeSoto; his sister Janice Siebels and her husband Bob of DeSoto. Jerry is survived by 16 grandchildren and many, many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and their extended families. Preceding him in death were his sons Michael Reynolds (US Navy) and Larry Reynolds (US Navy, Ret.); brothers Orville Reynolds (DeSoto), and Jack Reynolds (DeSoto) and his sister Glenice Drake (Oxly.) Jerry was a devoted husband, a beloved father and grandfather, and a brother to many through his life and ministry. Above all things, Jerry H. Reynolds wished to be remembered as a Christian.