Thomas J. Reynolds

Thomas James Reynolds, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend passed away on Wednesday, May 04, 2011. He was 88 years old. He was born on January 15, 1923 to Thomas Jefferson Reynolds and Julia McCane Couch Reynolds in Sanitorium, Texas, now Carlsbad, Texas. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Emilie Begley Reynolds, and three children, D. Shayne Hampshire and husband Brian, Mark Reynolds, and wife Linda, and Barrie Boutall, and husband William. He has six grandchildren: Amber Cortez and husband Angel, Patrick Boutall and wife Teresa, Ryan Reynolds, Elizabeth Boutall, Dylan and Tracey Hampshire. He was blessed with four great-grandchildren Gabrielle, Logan, and Pyper Boutall, and Tashina Cortez.

He served in the United States Army during WWII with the 102nd Infantry Division, 407th Regiment, and Company C. as a combat engineer. He landed in Normandy two to three months after D-Day. He fought in France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany. He was awarded the following medals for his service: American Theatre Ribbon, EAME Theatre Ribbon, Purple Heart & Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star, and two Bronze Battle Stars. He received a Certificate of Gratitude from the Consul General of France in recognition of his assistance in the liberation of France in 1944-45. He earned the rank of Corporal while on the battlefield. After suffering wounds from a mortar attack, he was in various European and American hospitals for recovery for 18 months and was discharged in 1945.

He attended Oklahoma Baptist University, Purdue University, and graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Mechanical Engineering degree in 1951. He was an engineer with many companies, including Dowell and WellTech.

Mr. Reynolds was a member of Theta Xi Fraternity of University of Oklahoma while a student there. While living in the New Orleans area, he belonged to the Krewe of Zeus Mardi Gras Organization in Metairie, and was an instructor with the Dale Carnegie Course. He was a member of the Columbus, Texas Lions Club where he served as President. He was nominated to the Gulf Coast Private Industry Council, (PIC) and was member of Holy Covenant United Methodist Church, Katy, Texas.

Visitation will be held on Friday, May 6 at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas from 5 pm until 8 pm. A memorial service will be held the following week, Saturday, May 14, at Holy Covenant United Methodist Church, 22111 Morton Road, Katy, Texas beginning at 10AM followed by a reception in the Fellowship Hall. For those desiring to make memorial donations in his honor, please send them to: Holy Covenant United Methodist Church, 22111 Morton Road, Katy, Texas 77449 or please choose the charity of your choice.