Mr. DONALD DURWARD REYNOLDS

FORT WORTH -- Donald Durward Reynolds passed away peacefully Sunday evening, May 7, 2017. Mr. Reynolds was 76. Memorial Service: A celebration of Don's life will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in the sanctuary of University Christian Church, 2720 S. University Dr. Family and friends will gather from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at R4 Campus, 5808 Edwards Ranch Rd. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, consideration of contributions to University Christian Church or to R4 Foundation at www.R4Foundation.org, in his memory, is suggested. All contributions to R4 Foundation will then be gifted to entities engaged in the fight against Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia. Born in Fort Worth on Feb. 14, 1941, Don was the son of Walter Willard "Jigs" and Helen Janak Reynolds. The family moved to San Antonio when Don and his older brother, Willard, were very young. Then, they moved back to Fort Worth where Don entered 4th grade at Bluebonnet Elementary. Don was quite the young performer as he sang in the Macado Opera as Macodo in 8th grade at Mclean Middle School. He also enjoyed swimming at Burger's Lake and playing all varieties of youth sports. Don graduated from R. L. Paschal High School in 1959 where he excelled in athletics and music. He then attended Texas Christian University where he became a four-year letterman in baseball and led the Southwest Conference in home runs and RBIs his senior year, as the Frogs won the 1963 conference title. And, even as he performed on the field throughout college, Don nurtured his love for the stage, as he was part of a barber shop quartet. Don graduated from TCU with a BBA in business, and married his grade school and high school sweetheart, Margie Cummins. Margie and Don moved to Odessa, Texas, in 1966 where Don started his career in the electrical supply business with Cummins Supply Company. Don grew to love west Texas where he made many friends and acquired some new nick names. His friends called him “White Rat” for his toe-head blonde hair, which he carried well into his 30’s. He also picked up the moniker “Crazy Charlie” for his CB radio handle. Don would spend his days selling electrical supplies in the oilfields while also entertaining customers on the golf course or hunting quail. In 1972, Margie and Don moved back to Fort Worth with their four children, as Don was promoted to Sales Manager of Fort Worth for Cummins. And in 1977, he ascended to the position of President of Cummins Supply Company. In 1984, Don left Cummins and founded The Reynolds Company, and opened a single branch location in Dallas. He spent his first few years building a small commercial contractor group and then watched the company take off in the late 1990’s. Don retired in 2000 and spent a few good years playing golf, fishing on his ranch in Granbury and chasing wild quail in west Texas. Don loved the electrical supply business and worked hard to firmly establish the company. Those who knew Don personally got to experience his special ability of making people feel good. He lit up every room with his presence while making everyone feel important. Anyone who knew Don Reynolds, loved Don Reynolds. Not only the founder of The Reynolds Company, Don was the inspiration for its culture and brand. He chose to name the firm “The Reynolds Company” because he loved saying that The Reynolds Company could also be called The Reynolds Family. He truly loved his family, and he loved all of the associates of the company like his own family. He would have been so proud of the company today, and he would not have been surprised by its strength. Don liked to dream big. He loved to tell big stories. If possible, he would be seen right now, sitting down in his new home, telling anyone who might listen the great story of The Reynolds Company. Don had many passions and touched many people in his life, but his most beautiful gift was being a father. He loved his wife, Margie, and they both loved their children immensely. Stephanie, Walter, Elizabeth, and Donald could not have grown up in a better place than Margie and Don’s home. Anyone and everyone was welcome at the Reynolds’ home at any hour, even the occasional burglar would enter the unlocked doors and leave with material possessions that Margie and Don cared little about. But, they cared a great deal for their children and the friends of their children. Margie and Don provided a welcoming, safe place where anyone and everyone could be themselves. They carried on this family value by extending their unconditional love to their twelve grandchildren and their friends. His remarkable life changed drastically in 2006 when he was first diagnosed with dementia. After bouts with pneumonia and heart failure in 2012, Don had to be moved to a full-time care facility where he would spend the rest of his days. His health struggles were very difficult for him and his family, but from these tough times also grew a new understanding, as Don never lost his strong-willed spirit to live. He spent many hours singing to other patients, as if he were back in the barber shop quartet. For one last period of time, he was on stage, the star of the show, brandishing his beautiful sense of humor and big heart. No matter the situation, Don lived with zeal. He lived with character. Don was a deeply faithful man who sang the Lord’s Prayer at all four of his children’s weddings. He lived the way he wanted to live, and passed away peacefully with his family by his side. We will all miss him dearly, and will never forget his Big D way. The family would like to thank Big Don’s devoted caretakers at Silverado, as they made his last years as productive and peaceful as possible. Survivors: In addition to his wife of 53 years, Margie Cummins Reynolds, Don was extremely loving and proud of his children, Stephanie Harvey and her husband, Bourke, Walter Clay Reynolds and his wife, Claire, Elizabeth Leigh Cox and her husband, Tom, and Donald Cummins Reynolds and his wife, Fantasy; grandchildren, Reynolds Paige, Meryl Mays, Gus and Tave Harvey, Duncan and Jacqueline Reynolds, Charlotte and Trey Cox, Katlyne Miller and Riley, Audrey, Reid and Annsley Reynolds; great-grandson, Jaxon Harvey Williams; niece and nephew, Christy Hodgsen and her husband, Paul, and nephew, Will Reynolds and his wife, Tricia, and their families. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Mr. DONALD DURWARD REYNOLDS please visit our Sympathy Store.