Albert Reynolds

Albert Lee Reynolds passed away on March 8, 2011. He is preceded in death by his father, Okla Eugene Reynolds, and his mother, Anna Laura Dugan Reynolds, of Elk City, Oklahoma. Albert was born in Mexia, Texas, on February 4, 1936. He moved to Elk City in 1947 where he graduated from Elk City High School as president and valedictorian of the Class of 1954. After high school, Albert's work ethic and intelligence earned him a B.S. in Architecture and a B.S. in Architectural Engineering from Oklahoma State University. At OSU he was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, Sigma Tau, and Chi Epsilon. Albert was the first person from Elk City to attend Yale where he graduated with a Master's in Civil Engineering. Albert traveled the world with his wife, Linda Louise Hassler, of Oklahoma City. Together they lived and worked in Africa, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, and Beirut. When asked why he felt such a burning desire to go overseas, he would usually respond with a humble and coy "I just wanted to earn money." But in reality, with the money he earned, he was able to pay off his parent's house and farm, so they would be safe. After leaving his mark with bridges and roads and buildings all over the world, Albert moved to New York City where he was the Resident Structural Engineer on the World Trade Center. He eventually settled with his family in Houston, Texas. No matter how far he traveled, he never left his Western Oklahoma upbringing. He was the model of a good Christian, a man of great wit and compassion, who was always concerned about the plight of the poor and the disadvantaged. He was highly active in Vietnam Veterans' causes, dedicating his time and money so their voices would be heard. Gloria Emerson profiled him in her famous book, "Winners and Losers: Battles, Retreats, Gains, Losses and Ruins from the Vietnam War." His compassion extended to stray, lost, and sick animals as well. Albert could not bear the thought that the smallest among us went without food, without shelter, without love. When the world was bent on destruction, he wanted to build. When the world was at war, he called for peace. He wanted people to be safe and secure. He was brave and never afraid to challenge those who had power and abused it. In his long and storied life, he saw things that could make the heart grow hard, but he never lost his compassion, and he never lost his love. He is loved. He will be missed. He leaves behind son, Patrick Albert Reynolds; daughter-in-law, Julie DeGrandpre; daughter, Laura Alyna Reynolds-Burkhart; son-in-law, Christopher Burkhart; grandchildren, Jake and Avery Burkhart; niece, Virginia Elizabeth Reynolds-Halstead; nephew, Sgt. First Class James Okla Reynolds; and beloved brother, James Marvin "Okla" Reynolds. Services will be held March 19th at 11:00am at First Baptist Church of Elk City, 1600 E1100 Road, Elk City, OK 73644-1223, (580) 225-7951.