Michael Anthony Reynolds, 84 of McKinney, Texas passed away on April 5, 2017 at Villagio Memory Care, McKinney, Texas. He was born April 21, 1932 in Spring Valley, Illinois to Philip and Helen Reynolds.
Mike attended Immaculate Conception Elementary school and Hall Township High School where he was an outstanding athlete. He entered Western Illinois University on a Football Scholarship in 1950 where he was a chemistry major. He was All Conference, MVP in Corn Bowl Game and honored as a Small College All-American. Following graduation, he was inducted into the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict and served 2 years. After his discharge, He and Shirley Gloyd married and returned to Western for his Masters Degree.
His working career began as a high school chemistry teacher and backfield coach. He loved teaching and inspired a number of his students to pursue degrees in careers related to chemistry. Later an opportunity came from Western Illinois University where he returned as the backfield coach and physical education instructor. He loved coaching but P.E. was not his favorite subject and, after 2 years, he enrolled at The University of Arkansas and earned his Ph.D. in Nuclear Chemistry. He then accepted a position at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston. He was on a team responsible for the “Moon Rocks” that came from the first Lunar landing. He was with NASA for 20 years serving in several key positions. He later joined McDonnell Douglas and won the General Manager’s Award for being Project Manager on their contract to select medical equipment that was to go on to the Space Station. After 15 years and the completion of that assignment, he retired at age 70 and moved to McKinney, TX.
Mike is survived by his wife of 60 years, Shirley Gloyd Reynolds, Daughter Michele D. Reynolds, M.D. of McKinney, son Patrick Philip Reynolds of Raleigh, N.C., daughter Stacia Ann Woodlan of Midlothian, TX. He was a proud grandfather to Michael Anthony Rareshide, Rachel Allison Johnson, McKenna Lorraine Woodlan, and Sarah Catherine Reynolds. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother James Reynolds and his sister Patricia Waggett.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 10, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, 110 St. Gabriel Way, McKinney, TX 75071 with burial following at Pecan Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends at a visitation on Sunday, April 9, 2017 from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home.