Kenneth "Rusty" Reynolds

December 24, 1933 - March 19, 2012

Kenneth "Rusty" Reynolds, age 78, of College Station, went to be with his Lord on Monday, March 19, 2012. Services will be Sunday, March 25, 2012 at 3:00 pm at Christ United Methodist Church with Jeff Paine and Bill Biggs officiating. A graveside service will be held Monday, March 26 at 1:00 pm at Ebenezer Cemetery in Pittsburg, Texas.

Rusty was born in Pittsburg, Tx on Christmas Eve 1933. He was raised by loving parents on a farm and in high school became a state officer for the FFA. It was through the FFA that he discovered his love for radio while doing on-air reports at KIMP in Mt. Pleasant. Soon he managed to talk his way into a full time on-air position at the station. This job began a lifetime of opportunities to meet many interesting and famous people. In Mt. Pleasant he once handed a check for $50 to a young Elvis Presley for a performance.

Rusty went to Texas A&M University in 1951 where he worked at the campus radio station and was a member of the Corps of Cadets. He left A&M in 1953, but never lost his Aggie pride and his love for the maroon and white. Forty-two years later, he went back to school at A&M and graduated in 1996 at the age of 63! As an avid supporter of TAMU and TAMU sports he became an endowed donor in 1982.

Rusty spent a good part of the 50's and 60's behind a microphone with stops in Tyler, Shreveport, Louisville, and Dallas-Ft. Worth. He later worked in sales and eventually became the General Manager of KCWM in Ft. Worth as a pioneer FM country music station. In 1974 Reynolds formed a partnership that would redefine radio in Texas. KYKX 105 in Longview was born and became the number one station in East Texas. His innovative ideas led to the first man-woman talk show named, "The Larry and Lou Show" as well as to the largest bass fishing championship in the world. In 1984 they awarded $105,000 for 1st prize.

In addition to the Longview station, Rusty and his partner put six additional stations on the air in Abilene, Lufkin , Victoria, Lake Charles, and Jackson. In 1989 Rusty's dream of creating a radio station in Aggieland became a reality when he put Aggie 96 on the air. He then partnered with his son, Ken, to form Reynolds Radio and launched stations in Tyler/Longview.

Rusty was actively involved in the Texas Association of Broadcasters and served on its board of directors on multiple occasions. He was inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame in 2003 and in 2008 received the prestigious honor of being named "Pioneer Broadcaster of the Year ". His ideas and innovations helped changed the direction of the broadcasting industry and influenced a whole new generation of broadcasters.

Rusty made B/CS his permanent home in 1998. He always had a passion for the game of golf and was a member of Pebble Creek Country Club. He also enjoyed participating in numerous golf tournaments benefiting various causes. He was a member of the A&M United Methodist Church and leaves a legacy of a family who loves and respects him.

He is survived by his son, Ken and daughter-in-law Kimberly Reynolds of College Station and four grandchildren Joel, Reagan, Joshua and Jordan. Preceding him in death was a daughter Kimberly Kay Reynolds and a grandson Ryan Thomas Reynolds.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association in Rusty's name.

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