Gene Autry "Pa" Reynolds

Gene Autry Reynolds

"Pa"

Gene Autry Reynolds, 71, of Hurt died Tuesday, September 7, 2010 at Virginia Baptist Hospital. He was the beloved husband of Jewell Roark Reynolds for forty-eight years.

From this union Gene and Jewell were blessed with two sons, D. Scott Reynolds of Greenville, SC and Michael K. Reynolds and his wife Debbie, who was like the daughter they never had, and their daughter Addie who was the "Sunshine of his life", all of Altavista.

He was preceded in death by one sister, Gillie Reynolds Brooks.

He was born July 6, 1939 in Campbell County, the son of the late Earl Wilson Reynolds and Ethel Morris Reynolds. He was a member of the former St. Andrews Baptist Mission Church and was a self employed business owner of Gene's Plumbing/Heating for over thirty-one years. Gene was a lifetime member of the Hurt Volunteer Fire Department with forty-four years of service, an avid hunter and fisherman, and loved being in the outdoors. Drafted into the U.S. Army in 1963, Gene served his country honorably. He saw active duty during the Vietnam War and received the Good Conduct Medal and the Marksmanship for Rifle award and was a true patriot.

A man who loved children and became a father figure to many. He assisted in the YMCA sports program as a coach for eight years from 1971-1979.

Gene was a happy and compassionate man with a captivating smile and never met a stranger. He was a servant to his clients and his community as a lifetime volunteer fireman and over the years served in many capacities such as chairman of the board and secretary.

Gene's battle with illness was fought with the same faith, resilience and perseverance as any of the other struggles in his life. To his wife, family and friends he was a gentle giant of a man.

Gene was a man who loved the simple things of life - like setting on the porch watching the hummingbirds and seeing the beauty of a flower in bloom.

A funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m., Friday, September 10, 2010 at Hurt United Methodist Church by the Rev. Bonnie Pizzeck with interment to follow at Altavista Memorial Park with military honors by V.F.W. Post 4165 and American Legion Post 36.

The family will receive friends from 2:30-4:00 p.m. and 7-8:30 p.m., Thursday at Finch & Finch Funeral and Cremation Service, Altavista and other times at the home of Nancy Roark, 727 Spring St., Hurt.

The family suggests that those wishing to make memorials consider Hurt United Methodist Church, 105 Riverview Rd., Hurt, VA 24563, Hurt Volunteer Fire Dept., P.O. Box 727, Hurt, VA 24563 or American Cancer Society, 2316 Atherholt Rd., Room 106, Lynchburg, VA 24501.

To send condolences, please visit www.finchand

finchfuneralservice.com.