Obituary of Rexford C. Reynolds

Athol: Rexford Claude Reynolds Jr, 85, passed away peacefully on December 11, 2015, with his loving family by his side. Rex was born December 23, 1929 in Glens Falls Hospital, the 4th of five children and only son, to Rexford C. Reynolds Sr and Emily Sceurman Reynolds of Athol. He resided his entire life at the family farm on Stony Creek Road. He attended the one room schoolhouse in Athol until 8th grade, and then finished out his high school career at the new school in Warrensburg, graduating in 1948. He worked at the Warrensburg Board and Paper Company until he enlisted in the United States Air Force in September 1950. Assigned to the 8th Air Force, he trained at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas and Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, where he attended the Combat Air Police School. He then transferred to the 5th Air Force where his outfit was ordered to Korea and at departure time, was sent to Ladd Field, Fairbanks, Alaska. He served in the Air Police for two years and was later discharged from Luke Air Force Base, Arizona in November 1953. He met his future wife, Jean, on a Greyhound bus on Route 66 on his way home. They were married on April 15, 1955 and moved onto the family farm, raising 5 children. Rex worked at Nibco, Glens Falls, The Warrensburg Mill and for the Ellsworth & Wood Contractors before going to work in the power plant of the Corinth International Paper Company. He worked 35 years before retiring as foreman, following a heart attack. Rex was a member of the I.P. Century Club and the Firemen and Oilers Union. He was a member of the Warrensburg Lodge #425, Free and Accepted Masons. He served as a Daddy in Fides Triangle, Daughters of the Eastern Star, a Masonic Order for girls when his twin daughters were members. He also helped with the Burgoyne Chapter, Order of DeMolay, a Masonic order for boys, when his son was a member. He belonged to the National Riflemen’s Association and was a Charter member of the American Hunt Club. As an elected member, he served 4 years as Councilman on the Thurman Town Board. Rex was a member of the United Methodist Church of Warrensburg and earlier, a Charter member of the Christ Community Church in Athol. He was co-chairman with his wife for the Town’s Gleaning program since its inception in the Town, making 3 trips each time to bring the food and bread to Thurman. He was an original volunteer driver for Meals on Wheels, until health problems prevented his continuing. He was assistant leader of the Hudson River Hillbillies 4-H Club and helped the town’s Cub Scouts for 6 years and Boy Scouts for 3 years. Rex was also a volunteer driver for local patients in need of transportation for medical treatments. He helped bulldoze the land for the Veteran’s Park and worked on the new Christ Community Church building. Rex was always ready to help a neighbor and was well respected for his advice and help. Known as the “Snowman,” Rex was responsible, for over 20 years with his sons, friend Neil Campbell, and grandsons, for obtaining snow for the Old Fashioned Sugar Party benefiting the American Cancer Society. He has several secret places to gather immaculate snow and a few times he had to travel many miles north to fine suitable snow, for Jack Wax, when winters were mild. Rex, known to some as Grandfather or Gramp, was a serious hunter and fisherman. He loved going to his camps in Saranac Lake and staying home working on the farm. He had great respect for both land and animals. Making maple syrup was a special event for the whole family, young and old. His children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren will forever be grateful for his advice and guidance, teaching them the rules of life, respect for nature, and his hardworking attitude. There were no gray areas in his life – everything was black and white – right or wrong, good or bad, and that the laws of the land were made to be obeyed. One always knew where he stood on any issue. Rex’s extended family will remember him lovingly for his gentle ways, sound advice, sense of humor, and rapport with family, friends and the animals he raised. He will be remembered for the many holiday meals that were filled with laughter and good cheer, albeit slightly cold due to the fact that plates were fixed for those that were shut-in or alone and we waited while he delivered them. In particular, he will be remembered for the tenderness shown to his wife, Jean, for her many life pursuits and especially during her terminal illness. He was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Jean Burdick Reynolds, his parents, Rexford C. Reynolds Sr and Emily Sceurman Reynolds, grandparents, Benjamin Reynolds and Agnes Austin Reynolds, Lewis Sceurman and Estella Davis Sceurman, two sisters, Miriam R. Quackenbush and Emily Martin, two cousins, Donald Cameron and Myron Cameron, one grandson, Dr. Joseph Patrick Kelly and special friend, Irene Hall. Survivors include his beloved dog, Picasso, son, Arthur Allen Reynolds and his wife, Brenda, of Naples, Florida, daughter Jacklyn West and her husband, Dave of North Creek, twin daughters Heidi Reynolds, of Warrensburg, and Kathleen Kelly, and husband, Michael, of Warrensburg, and son Rexford C. Reynolds III, of Athol. His sister's, Ruth Nevin and her husband, Charlie of Watertown and Florence Pennock of MA and AZ. Eleven grandchildren, Aaron Reynolds and wife, Kelly, of Reading, PA, Emily Reynolds of Naples, Florida, Ricky Addison and his wife, Jennifer of Chicago, Illinois, Cemanda Roberts and her husband, Clarence of Athol, Kathleen Heath and husband, John of North Creek, Paul West of Hartford, Daron Bolton of Warrensburg, Danielle Jalosyznski and her husband, Mark of Bloomingburg, Brigid Kim of Maryland, Rexford C. Reynolds IV and wife, Jade of Hammond, Benjamin Reynolds and significant other, Megan Badger of Athol. Thirteen great- grandchildren, Jonathan Roberts, Patrick Henry Roberts, Kelsey Reynolds, Isaac Jalosyznski, Lynnaea Jalosyznski, Ryan Jalosyznski, Rexford C. Reynolds V, Olive Joan Reynolds, Emily Kim, Sarah Kim, Rachel Kim, Harper Heath, and Callandra Jacobson. Rexford’s family would like to extend a huge thank you to the nurses and staff members in the ER, on Tower 6 and the CC unit at Glens Falls Hospital, Dr. Hoy, Dr. Schwenker, Dr. Kelly and Eileen Spinelli as well as their staffs for the outstanding care and kindness towards making his passing both comfortable and peaceful. Calling hours will be held on Monday, December 14th from 1:00-3:30pm at Alexander Funeral Home, 3809 Main St., Warrensburg. A reception will follow at the Thurman Town Hall in Athol, where refreshments will be provided. In lieu of flowers, donations in Rexford’s memory may be made to the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society or The Glens Falls Hospital (Coronary Care Unit). Please visit www.alexanderfh.net for online guest book, condolences, and directions.