Ralph N. Reynolds

Ralph N. Reynolds, Tallahassee, joined the Lord in heaven on June 30,2012, at the age of 79.

He was born June 2, 1933, in New Rochelle, New York to Ralph and Helen Reynolds. His father was an accountant for the United States Navy, his mother an elementary school teacher. Shortly thereafter, his father was reassigned to the Naval base in Melbourne, Florida in 1934. Ralph played football, basketball and baseball while attending and then graduating from Melbourne High School. Ralph continued his family’s military tradition by joining the US Navy at the age of 18 years old and subsequently served on active duty in the Korean War from 1952 to 1956 aboard the USS Winston AKA 94. Having been pre-enrolled by his mother to attend Florida State University on the GI bill in the fall of 1956, he earned degrees in Business Administration and Accounting. However, his most notable success was achieved while working in the cafeteria at FSU where he met and courted a young lady named Darlene whom also is a proud Seminole alumn. The love story goes that Darlene acquired two tickets to the 1960 Orange Bowl game between Georgia and Missouri, inviting Ralph to accompany her to the game and to meet her parents in her hometown of Miami, Florida. Ralph proposed marriage immediately following the game and they were blissfully wed in Miami. They had both developed a love for Tallahassee during their years at college and decided to settle there where they successfully raised three boys. Ralph’s first job was in management at the Morrison’s Cafeteria, which at the time was located on the FSU campus. He continued to serve as well in the US Naval Reserves, and did so for another twenty eight years. He was employed by the State of Florida Department of Health in 1967 and successfully retired in 1995.

Ralph was a strong Christian with a deep connection to North Florida Baptist Church, establishing his fellowship in 1969. As a former deacon, he was involved in the establishment of The Lighthouse Children’s Home, and also a longtime dedicated leader in the Awana youth program. His passions in life were his family, church congregation, coaching little league baseball, his dogs, Florida State University sports, feeding and observing the wild birds and squirrels, and watching golf.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Laura Stevens, and numerous family pets. He is survived by his wife, his sons, Roland (Jeanine), Alan (fiancé Shannon), John (Sherryl), eight grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and his two dogs.

Visitation with friends and family will be held on Monday, July 10 from 5 to 7 PM at Culley's MeadowWood on Timberlane Road. The funeral service will be Tuesday at 11 AM with a reception to which all are invited following the graveside service at same location.

Arrangements are under the direction of Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home in Tallahassee, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be directed and checks made payable to Awana, 163 Conrad Hills Road, Attn. Tom and Sandi Hoffman, Havana, FL 32333.