Gary Reynolds Obituary

Gary Wayne Reynolds

Nov 5, 1941 - May 7, 2023

Dallas, TX

Gary Wayne Reynolds, 81, of Dallas, Texas, passed away Sunday, May 7, 2023, following a four-month bout with pancreatic cancer.

He was born Nov. 5, 1941, in London, Ohio, a small town west of Columbus, where he spent his youth hunting, fishing, swimming, passing papers, and especially playing sports with his childhood friends and three brothers, Bob, Roger, and Dick.

He pursued his love of sports at Otterbein College in Westerville where he studied physical education and excelled in football, basketball, and track. It was also there he met Beverly Ann Canode, who was taking night classes at the time. They were married two years later on Aug. 9, 1964, back in his hometown of London after he turned down a tryout with The New York Football Giants and she, an opportunity with the airlines.

Gary and Bev began their life together in Sandusky where he primarily taught high school health/PE, coached many sports, and started a painting business. Both fondly remember Sandusky for their many friends, neighborhood, and as a wonderful place to raise their four children.

After 19 years, they relocated to the Dallas, Texas area where he spent the second part of his career teaching biology and coaching several sports, primarily football at Richardson High School. Although he was an educator and coach for a total of 42 years, Gary never retired from his contracting business, working right up until his cancer diagnosis.

Looking back over his years, Gary shared that his life was marked by good friends, the bond he had with his brothers, and the responsibility he felt to provide for his family. He will also be remembered for his work ethic, fair treatment of all people, level-headedness, quiet sense of humor, love of animals, "true" stories, and many, many G-isms. Furthermore, no tribute to Gary would be complete without mentioning his deep love of music. He enjoyed various genres throughout the decades and proudly shared his knowledge of artists and dance moves when given the opportunity.

He is survived by his brothers and sisters-in-law, Bob (Sharon) of London, Ohio, Roger (Annette) of Frisco, Texas, Linda Erlacher of Elkhart, Indiana, and Dick (Ellen) of Westerville; childhood friend and companion, Linda Rea Basham of The Colony, Texas; four children, Trisha (Pete) Tilden of Zeeland, Michigan, Brenda Reynolds of Dallas, Texas, Krista (Clay) Norris of Richardson, Texas, and Vic (Amy) Reynolds of Plano, Texas; and 11 grandchildren they were so proud of, Jonathan (Destini) Tilden of Buda, Texas, Alexis Politz of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Isaac Tilden of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Sam, Levi, and Anna Tilden of Zeeland, Michigan, Olivia and Bridget Norris of Richardson, Texas, and Amber, Briana, and Carson Reynolds of Plano, Texas.

Gary was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothea Madonna Gibson Reynolds; and wife of 51 years, Beverly Ann Canode Reynolds.

Gary's memorial service will be 6 p.m. EST Thursday, July 13, 2023, at First United Methodist Church in London, Ohio. It will also be live-streamed and available for later viewing on the church's website, Facebook page, and YouTube.

In preparation for the service, send any messages, photos, or stories the family might enjoy to [email protected].

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation on behalf of "Gary Reynolds/ Memorial Tribute Account #23493889" to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at (800) 822-6344.