George Ray Reynolds

Reynolds, George Ray, age 87 of Warrior, Alabama, formerly of Birmingham, Alabama died peacefully at his home April 26, 2016. George grew up in Pratt City where he attended Pratt Elementary and Ensley High School. He also attended Marion Military Academy, Auburn University and graduated with a B.S. degree from the University of Alabama. He received his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Alabama School of Law. He served in the United States Army Reserve JAG Corps where he attained the rank of Colonel. One of his greatest joys was serving his country and having the opportunity to train and educate young lawyers under his command. Following his retirement from his position with the JAG Corps, he received the 2013 Rowe Bank Award presented to him based upon his lifetime of service to the public and his country. He practiced law in Birmingham, Alabama for 20 years from 1953 to 1974. In 1974, he was appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of Jefferson County District Court Judge. He was elected to a second term as a District Court Judge. In 1980, he was appointed to serve in the newly created position as Probate Judge #2 for Jefferson County, Alabama where his focus was handling commitment proceedings and managing elections. He was later appointed to fill the position of #1 Probate Judge of Jefferson County where he served until his retirement at the age of 70 in 2000. He will be remembered by those parties who came before him and the attorneys practicing in his court as a Judge who was fair and treated everyone with respect giving all participants a fair opportunity to present their case. The attorneys who practiced in his court will remember him as a Judge who freely offered guidance, shared his knowledge of the law with practical solutions to their address clients’ problems and had a quick wit and an amusing story to tell. He served as Deacon for many years at his church, Crestway Baptist Church and later was a member of Shades Crest Baptist Church and Green Valley Baptist Church. He demonstrated his faith daily in the manner he encountered and addressed others. George Reynolds was approachable by all people with his kind and friendly manner. He treated all people as important regardless of their station in life. He gave his time and attention to people needing advice and counsel. More than anything, he was happiest when he could help others. He was genuinely a good man. George Reynolds was predeceased by his father, George W. Reynolds, his mother, Ruth Custred Reynolds, his sister, Virginia Nell Hayes and his brother, Roy S. Reynolds. He was also predeceased by his first wife and mother of his son, Faye G. Reynolds.He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Madeline F. Reynolds and her daughters, Lynda Cook and Terri Lovell (Chuck) and their children, Lee Belding and Tim Cook and Madelle Alley (Robert) and Bryan Eaken (Tina) and their children, Eva Gibson Cook, Matthew Cook, Dylan Brewster, Laura Ashley Alley, Tiffany Alley, Desiree Alley, Kameron Eaken, Kali Eaken and Henry-Morgan Belding. Finally, he is survived by his only son, Thomas E. Reynolds (Kathy) and his grandchildren, Gina Sterling Reynolds, George R. Reynolds II, Lisa Allyn Reynolds and John Thomas Reynolds. Visitation will be from 10 am to 11 am, Saturday April 30 at Johns Ridouts, Elmwood Chapel with funeral services following at 11 am. Burial at Elmwood Cemetery.