Charles Russell Reynolds Jr.

Russ is survived by his wife, Sally Baumann Reynolds; son Charles Russell Reynolds III, daughter-in-law Michele; son Trafton Ellis Reynolds, daughter-in-law Carla, granddaughter Carmen and grandson Trafton Jr.; son Gardner Williams Reynolds, daughter-in-law Elizabeth, grandsons Owen and Benton, and granddaughter Campbell; daughters Claire Gere Reynolds and Ruth Reynolds Walker, son-in-law Kent, and granddaughter Esther.

Russell was born on April 8th, 1921 in Raleigh to parents Charles Russell Reynolds Sr. and Ruth Campbell Reynolds. He attended Hugh Morson High School for one year and graduated from Christ School in Arden, NC. After enlisting in the Army Air Corps in 1943, Russell, a second lieutenant, served as a pilot stationed in Cottesmore, England, in the 45th Squadron, 316th Troop Carrier Group, flying C-47 transport planes during the Battle of the Bulge in 1944-45. Later he was stationed in Brazil where he discovered his love of foreign languages; from there he transported troops from the European Theater of Operations to the Pacific Theater. Service in World War II was the defining experience of his life. In later years, after participating in the Flight of Honor program, he published We Remember: Stories by North Carolina Veterans of World War II in 2011. After the completion of service, he attended and earned his BA, MA, and PhD from UNC-Chapel Hill studying Spanish language and literature. He taught at Elon College, NCSU, the University of Seville, and UNC-Asheville, where he met Sally, his wife of thirty-eight years.

In 1984, upon retirement from UNC-A, he returned to Raleigh where he pursued new interests. He helped co-found the Ole Raleigh Boys organization, eventually publishing a collection of stories, Ole Raleigh Boys Reminisce, in 1999. A member of Christ Church for over 25 years, he taught Spanish in its outreach program at St. Saviour’s Community Center for six years. He generously contributed to the academic institutions he loved, becoming a member of the UNC-CH Chancellor’s Club and NC State Friends of the Library; he established the Ruth Campbell Reynolds scholarship fund at UNC-Asheville, fostering the study of foreign language at the university level.

Russell lived life to the fullest; he loved great literature, history, travel, jazz, animals, and for over fifty years he was an avid jogger and walker. But most of all, this gregarious and fun loving man was devoted to his friends and family. He supported his children in the pursuit of their dreams and in achieving their full potential.

The funeral service will take place on Wednesday, 2 pm, January 11th at Christ Church, 120 E. Edenton St. in Raleigh.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Transitions LifeCare, formerly Hospice of Wake County, 250 Hospice Circle Raleigh, NC 27607.

The family would like to thank the Rex Hospital Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit, and 5 East for their dedicated care and compassion.

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, Saint Mary's St., Raleigh, NC.

* * * * * * * * * *

Charles Russell Reynolds, Jr., 95, died peacefully surrounded by family on January 4th, 2017 in Raleigh, NC.

Russ is survived by his wife, Sally Baumann Reynolds; son Charles Russell Reynolds III, daughter-in-law Michele; son Trafton Ellis Reynolds, daughter-in-law Carla, granddaughter Carmen and grandson Trafton Jr.; son Gardner Williams Reynolds, daughter-in-law Elizabeth, grandsons Owen andBenton, and granddaughter Campbell; daughters Claire Gere Reynolds and Ruth Reynolds Walker, son-in-law Kent, and granddaughter Esther.

Russell was born on April 8th, 1921 in Raleigh to parents Charles Russell Reynolds Sr. and Ruth Campbell Reynolds. He attended Hugh Morson High School for one year and graduated from Christ School in Arden, NC. After enlisting in the Army Air Corps in 1943, Russell, a second lieutenant, served as a pilot stationed in Cottesmore, England, in the 45th Squadron, 316th Troop Carrier Group, flying C-47 transport planes during the Battle of the Bulge in 1944-45. Later he was stationed in Brazil where he discovered his love of foreign languages; from there he transported troops from the European Theater of Operations to the Pacific Theater. Service in World War II was the defining experience of his life. In later years, after participating in the Flight of Honor program, he published We Remember: Stories by North Carolina Veterans of World War II in 2011. After the completion of service, he attended and earned his BA, MA, and PhD from UNC-Chapel Hill studying Spanish language and literature. He taught at Elon College, NCSU, the University of Seville, and UNC-Asheville, where he met Sally, his wife of thirty-eight years.

In 1984, upon retirement from UNC-A, he returned to Raleigh where he pursued new interests. He helped co-found the Ole Raleigh Boys organization, eventually publishing a collection of stories, Ole Raleigh Boys Reminisce, in 1999. A member of Christ Church for over 25 years, he taught Spanish in its outreach program at St. Saviour’s Community Center for six years. He generously contributed to the academic institutions he loved, becoming a member of the UNC-CH Chancellor’s Club and NC State Friends of the Library; he established the Ruth Campbell Reynolds scholarship fund at UNC-Asheville, fostering the study of foreign language at the university level.

Russell lived life to the fullest; he loved great literature, history, travel, jazz, animals, and for over fifty years he was an avid jogger and walker. But most of all, this gregarious and fun loving man was devoted to his friends and family. He supported his children in the pursuit of their dreams and in achieving their full potential.

The funeral service will take place on Wednesday, 2 pm, January 11th at Christ Church, 120 E. Edenton St. in Raleigh.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Transitions LifeCare, formerly Hospice of Wake County, 250 Hospice Circle Raleigh, NC 27607.

The family would like to thank the Rex Hospital Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit, and 5 East for their dedicated care and compassion.

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, Saint Mary's St., Raleigh, NC.