Obituary

Louis “Lou” Clyde Reynolds, December 12, 1924-February 2, 2021   Born near Clear Creek, Tennessee, he was the son of Louis Alcain and Lelia Mae Jones Reynolds. Shortly after graduating Clinton High School, he enlisted, and as a Morse Code master, despite his height, over 6′, he requested service in the US Navy, aboard a submarine “it had better food.”  As part of the Greatest Generation, he served in WWII and the Korean War and later in life he was a proud member of local Sub Vets Perch Base and White Mountain Base. In 2016 he was selected for one of the last Honor Flights for WWII vets to Washington, DC. He also helped raise funds for the recently completed submarine memorial in Wesley Bolin Plaza.

Upon return from Korea he joined family in Phoenix where he met the love of his life, Bea, on a blind date. They were married a few months later.

He began his career at the Arizona Republic/Phoenix Gazette taking classified ads and rose to Director of Advertising. He was a respected and well-liked colleague as any who knew him could attest. He retired after 35 years and moved with Bea to the White Mountains of Arizona where they built and ran Deer Springs Inn for many years. They forged countless new friendships over these years, enjoying time with their guests around the campfire. At age 75, he earned an Associates Degree from the local college. Lou and Bea eventually moved to Avondale to be near family.

Lou was committed to civic and professional engagement throughout his life and served on the board or volunteered for: Toastmasters, Optimist Club, Junior Achievement, Little League, Phoenix Little Theater, Love Kitchen, White Mountain Symphony, and St. Mary’s Food Bank.

He enjoyed golf, bowling, R&G baseball, hunting, fishing, horseshoes and cards. A lover of the mountains that reminded him of home, he and his brother Carl built a stone cabin from the hillside near Diamond Point, AZ, that their families shared for many years.

He has been involved with his church since boyhood most recently Christ Community UMC, Avondale, and in Show Low, White Mountain UMC, where he was asked to be a lay preacher.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Beulah Bea VanHise Reynolds; children, Amy, Stephen, and Patricia Schuler (Roy); grandsons, Brandon and Ryan Schuler; little sister, Ruby Csuy (Paul); many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by brothers Carl and Conda, and sister Ruth Kinsky.

Memorial service will take place February 23, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Thompson’s Funeral Chapel, Goodyear, AZ, and will also be live-streamed for family and friends that have been provided with a link.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary’s Food Bank or the Humane Society.