Mark J. Reynolds

Mark J. Reynolds, 35, formerly of St. Joseph, MO, died Thursday, January 8, 2004, in Lake Forest, CA, while cycling in the mountains of California. Mark was an avid cyclist and died doing what he loved. He was born March 17, 1968, in St. Joseph, MO, where he grew up and spent a large part of his life. He graduated from Central High School in 1986, and then completed a double major in Marketing and Finance at the University of Missouri-Columbia, finishing his Bachelor's of Science in 1991. At MU, he was a member of the Delta Upsilon Fraternity and played as a setter on the men's volleyball team. After college, Mr. Reynolds worked for ICI Devoe Paint, as a sales manager for 10 years. He spent the next couple of years working for Carmichael Training Systems, and Chris Carmichael, who is the personal coach/trainer for Lance Armstrong. In the last couple of years, he worked as a Sports Agent for the Motorcross Division of OMS Sports in Anaheim, CA. Mark was a competitive cyclist, riding in the "Expert" class throughout Texas, California, and Colorado. He was a member of numerous riding teams throughout his career, including David's Cycles, Bikesport, El Camino Bike Shop, Clarion, and Hotjobs.com. He valued family, friendship, and had a true passion for life. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Fred and Helen Reynolds. Grieving his death are surviving family members: parents Gary and Dona Reynolds, St. Joseph, MO; sister Terri Reynolds, Columbia, MO; maternal grandparents Margaret and Laverne Pearl, St. Joseph, MO; uncles and aunts Frederick Lee Reynolds, Athens, IL, Scott and Lisa Reynolds, Herrin, IL, Roger and Teri Pearl, Savannah, MO, Hershel Pearl, Overland Park, KS, Carol Camp, Santa Barbara, CA, Barbara Smith, Tunica, MI, Leslie Weller, Springfield, IL; numerous cousins; Best Friend, Dr. Ann Marie Baker, Houston, TX; and hundreds of other friends and fellow riders across the country. Services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, January 14 at Wyatt Park Baptist Church. Interment Savannah Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at Meierhoffer Family Funeral Service, where friends may call after 6 p.m. Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the Mark J. Reynolds Memorial, Children's "First" Bicycle Fund, c/o Nodaway Valley Bank, 4001 N. Belt Hwy, St. Joseph, MO, 64506, Attn: Pat Clark. This is a not for profit organization which will be ongoing. Bikes will be given away around Christmas. Mr. Reynolds will be removed from the funeral home to arrive at the church one hour prior to the service. (Arr. Meierhoffer Family Funeral Service, St. Joseph, MO, 816-232-3366)