John Reynolds Obituary

Durango resident John R. Reynolds died Sunday, March 6, 2011, at his home. He was 85, and a "sweet, stubborn man to the end," his family said.

Mr. Reynolds was born to John F. and Blanche Reynolds on April 6, 1925, in Hornell, N.Y.

He was drafted in 1943 at the age of 18 and served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a radio operator and gunner on a B-25 in the southwestern Pacific.

After his discharge, Mr. Reynolds graduated from the New York State Institute of Technology with a degree in business. He went on to work in the banking business for more than 40 years, serving as the president of several banks in New York and California. His final position, before his retirement, was president of Ojai Valley Bank in California.

On June 6, 1953, he married Marilyn "Lyn" Whiting in Canaseraga, N.Y.

Mr. Reynolds spent his retirement years happily in Durango, where he was an artist, handyman and carpenter.

Mr. Reynolds is survived by his wife of 57 years, Marilyn S. Reynolds; daughters Laurie Reynolds of Durango, Rebecca Reynolds of Santa Fe and Nancy Allinger of Wichita, Kan.; several siblings; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Cremation will occur. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 12, 2011, at Greenmount Cemetery, with Chaplain Earl Caudill of Hospice of Mercy officiating.