Thomas W. Reynolds

Brig. Gen. Ret. Thomas W. Reynolds, 82, of Springfield, died at 5:35 p.m. on Sunday, March 4, 2012 at St. John's Hospice. Thomas was born July 31, 1929 in Chicago, IL, the son of Thomas and Esther Jones Reynolds. He married Patricia Kent in 1960. Preceding Thomas in death are his parents, two brothers and one sister. He is survived by his wife, Patricia; sister, Ann; brother, Kevin; three daughters, Susan Sitki of Springfield, Trish Reynolds (Jon Daigle) and Elizabeth (Mike) Gorman both of Chesterfield, MO; and seven grandchildren, Ryan, Tara, Samantha, Alexandra, Nicholas, Bryn and Michael. General Reynolds served for 38 years in the U.S. Army and at the time of his retirement he was the Commanding General of the 33rd Brigade, Illinois National Guard, in Chicago Illinois. He graduated with Honors from the Infantry Officer Career Course at Fort Benning, GA in 1967. Additionally, he graduated from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, KS in 1972, and from the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, PA in 1978. He was the recipient of the Legion of Merit and the Meritorious Service Medal. Following retirement, Gen. Reynolds earned a Master's Degree in Public Administration from the University of Illinois, Springfield. He was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church, where he served as a Eucharistic Minister and on the School Board. He was an active member of the Cracker Barrel club. Tom enjoyed politics and was known for his many Letters to the Editor published in the SJ-R, and for his love of anything Irish. Not so well-known was his passion for the Chicago White Sox in a Chicago Cubs household. Visitation: Family will receive friends from 5:00-8:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 8, 2012 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Visitation will begin with a prayer service at 5:00 p.m. An additional visitation will be held from 8:00-8:45 a.m. on Friday, March 9, 2012 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home. Funeral Mass: 9:30 a.m. on Friday, March 9, 2012 at Christ the King Catholic Church, 1930 Barberry Dr., Springfield, with Rev. Msgr. David S. Lantz, celebrant. Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery with military honors provided. Memorial contributions may be made to: St. Joseph's Home, 3306 S. 6th St. Rd., Springfield, IL 62703 or to Christ the King Catholic Church, 1930 Barberry Dr., Springfield, IL 62704.