Eugene Reynolds

1931 - 2017

Eugene A. Reynolds passed away at home on Jan. 18, 2017, just nine days after his 86th birthday. Gene loved life and lived it the way he enjoyed it the most. Enjoying the Anchorage Symphony never missing one in 30 years, Concert Association performances, reading, gardening and yard work, eating in good restaurants, costume parties, bingo and water aerobics were some of his other passions. He took a useless huge backyard and turned it into a garden haven with a 620-square-foot deck, a gazebo, trees, ponds and many perennial plants, and won an award for it. He and his wife won many costume awards.
Gene was born in Franklin, Ky., on Jan. 9, 1931, to May and Morris Reynolds. He served in the Air Force from Jan. 4, 1948, to Jan. 18, 1952. He earned his Bachelors of Fine Arts from University of Houston and a Masters of Social Work from Our Lady of the Lake College in San Antonio, Texas. He retired after 30 years as Chief of Social Services with the Indian Health Service (ANMC). He later took a job with the State of Alaska Jobs Programs to help young people get their lives together and loved it. This job inspired him to write a book entitled "Let Go, Let God." He retired from the state also.
Gene leaves behind his wife and constant companion of 45 years, Florence; his devoted son, John Hales of Dallas, Texas; his very special adopted family, Ann Egemo, Buck Buckmeir, JoAnn and Jimmie Wallace, their precious daughters, Kinley and Maleah - adopted "granddaughters." He loved them dearly.
At his request, he chose cremation and no service. He wanted to be remembered being alive. He is being cared for by Legacy Funeral Home and will be placed with his mother at the Angelus Memorial Park.