Gary Reynolds, 1929-2010: Carpentry firm owner was active in Scouts
9/16/2010Gary Reynolds, a carpenter whose skill went into subdivisions throughout the Toledo area and an Eagle Scout who made time to lead scout groups and to coach, died Tuesday in the Goerlich Center, the day before his 81st birthday.
He had pneumonia, his wife, Donna, said.
Mr. Reynolds of Sylvania retired at age 62, his wife said, but he later worked as needed for his sons, who also are in the building trades.
He got his start in carpentry by working with an uncle who was in the trade. He and his brother, David, later formed D&G Reynolds Builders Inc.
The firm framed houses for builders and developers - some of the best known in the area - and he was kept busy during the postwar home-building boom. Those builders knew he and his crew did precision work without dawdling. Those crews included his sons.
"He was fair to the men who did work for him and was well-respected," son Gary said.
"He did a good job. Things were straight and plumb, and [he] didn't take forever when he started a job," said Gary, who now operates the business as Gary Reynolds Builders.
For years, Mr. Reynolds followed the example of his father, Vern, and was a Boy Scout leader. He coached the wrestling team he started at Longfellow School, and he coached baseball and softball.
"He enjoyed being around kids," his son said. "With the energy exerted being a carpenter, to come home, get dressed, go to a Scout meeting, coach baseball - I don't know how he did it."
Mr. Reynolds was a 1948 graduate of DeVilbiss High School, where he wrestled, and later attended the University of Toledo. He was an Army veteran and served stateside during the Korean War.
He was a member of Local 1138 carpenters union.
Surviving are his wife, Donna, whom he married Nov. 17, 1951; sons, Gary, Jr., Jay, Scott, and Thomas; daughter, Amy Budde; brother, David; 14 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
The body will be in the Reeb Funeral Home, Sylvania, after 3 p.m. Thursday. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in Olivet Lutheran Church, Sylvania, where he was a member.
The family suggests tributes to the Goerlich Center at Flower Hospital or the hand bell choir or altar guild at Olivet Lutheran.
Contact Mark Zaborney at:
mzaborney@theblade.com
or 419-724-6182.