Harvey Leroy Skip Reynolds, Jr.

Born Harvey Leroy "Skip" Reynolds, Jr. to Harvey Leroy Reynolds, Sr. and Beatrice Arlene Reynolds in Norristown, PA, on October 21, 1951, Skip was raised and lived the better part of his life in Lansdale, PA. Throughout the years, in various ways and lengths of time, Skip and his friends from his earlier years had kept in touch; having fond memories of those childhood years and beyond.

Growing up, Skip became involved in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. He went on to become an Explorer in the Boy Scouts, as well as participating in League baseball and Track and Field. During this time, his father coached him in baseball and was his Boy Scout Leader. Soon after graduating from North Penn High School in 1969, Skip decided to enlist in the U.S. Navy, in August, becoming an SN (Seaman). From 10/70-2/72, he was stationed out of Honolulu, HI for WESTPAC (Western Pacific) deployment. After marrying Michele Francine Lang, who was best friends with his older sister, Maureen, on August 14, 1971, Skip and Michele went to Hawaii and remained there until he completed his deployment. Afterward, they moved back to Lansdale.

In his travels around the Pacific on the U.S.S. McMorris DE 1036, Skip and his shipmates saw places like the Philippines and Japan. While at sea the McMorris went on missions that provided anti-submarine warfare capabilities and had them monitor the activities of other navies. At times, Skip, a Boatswain's Mate, would be at the helm of this splendid ship. At least one time he had to steer through waves that threatened to challenge the ship's ability to stay afloat. In February 1972, Skip was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy. Always a hard worker, he would take what he learned up to that point in life and apply it to his family and employment in the trucking, air freight, insurance, plastics, HVAC, and public speaking/sales training industries.

After his two older boys were born, Scott in August 1972 and Steve in October 1976, Skip reared his children the best way he knew how. Great change would take place for this family in the years to follow. On December 26, 1980, Skip moved his wife and two children across the United States to Seattle, WA. Soon after, they moved to Lynnwood, north of Seattle, where they remained for almost six years. On December 5, 1986, after Skip secured different employment, they moved back to Lansdale.

Prior to that move, though, Skip used his experiences with Scouts and baseball to become a Webelos Den Leader (1982) and a baseball coach in the Pacific Little League to his older son, Scott (1984/86). In 1986 he helped create a Senior League for 13 and 14 year olds, enabling them to continue their Little League experience. During this time, Skip continued to develop his organizational skills through education, by starting at Edmonds Community College. By 2003, he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Organizational Management, while attending night classes at Eastern University.

While Skip worked full-time and pursued his degree, Michele, his wife of 29 years, succumbed to cancer on November 24, 2000. After a five-year battle and having been in remission, she had him by her side, helping to care for her in hospice care.

Skip and Theresa Kazmierczak met in 2004. They were inseparable from the first time they met. On December 3, 2005 they were married and resided in Lansdale, PA. Having begun anew, Skip and Theresa would find themselves with another exciting opportunity ahead of them.

Skip had many years in Sales and began working for the Dale Carnegie organization. He became a trainer. Wanting to own a Dale Carnegie franchise, he eventually had this opportunity, becoming a franchise owner in February 2008. In response, Skip and Theresa packed up their things, leaving Lansdale and family, friends and coworkers, to move to San Antonio, TX. More opportunities would open for them.

In 2012, Skip and Theresa had a "calling" to adopt a child in San Antonio. Their prayers were answered when their son, Brandon, came into their lives. On November 2, 2012 they officially adopted Brandon.

Not misplacing his fond memories of his McMorris days, Skip was an integral person in beginning the McMorris Reunion. Up to his death on August 1, 2016, he was its long-serving Coordinator; with a reunion scheduled for September 2016. Beyond his focus on his shipmates and others, who served on the McMorris, Skip had currently been a liaison to the military in the San Antonio area. Even with these responsibilities in place, he maintained his business focus. In that light, what began as an opportunity to own a franchise was merely a stepping stone.

His love for education would be a large determiner for what his decades of ongoing learning enabled him to accomplish as a business owner. As a result, Skip Reynolds Consulting became a reality. As a consultant specializing in leadership training for business executives, Skip became a teacher and coach: an educator.

Skip attended Holy Trinity Catholic Church, with Theresa. He had gone on an ACTS Retreat, where he had decided to embrace Catholicism and join the Catholic Church.

Having a love for sports, Skip enjoyed baseball, football, and golf. He was a fan of the MLB Philadelphia Phillies and NFL Philadelphia Eagles. He was an avid reader, a World War II buff, a dog lover, encouraging to those he met and a mentor to all, and had a sense of humor. He also made time to be a part of the local Rotary. Not one to miss out on being involved in his children's activities, after Brandon had gone through Cub Scouts, Skip made time to be on the committee for Boy Scout Troop 501, in which his son, Brandon, now 12 years old, participates.

Though Skip was in Brandon's life for four years, his positive influence, motivation, and love will last forever. He always encouraged and instilled responsibility, leadership, loyalty, and love in Brandon.

Skip is preceded in death by his late wife, Michele Francine Reynolds, his father, Harvey Leroy Reynolds, Sr., and his sister, Maureen Roach. He is survived by his wife: Theresa Kazmierczak, DDS (San Antonio, TX); sons: Scott Reynolds (Boiling Springs, SC), Steve Reynolds and his wife, Lisa (Gretna, LA), and Brandon Reynolds (San Antonio, TX); mother: Beatrice Reynolds (San Antonio, TX); sister: Patti Leedom (Lansdale, PA); grandchildren: Jacob and Kira Reynolds, along with their mother, Renee Sauers; Nathan, Miranda, and Natalie Reynolds and Kaitlyn Brown, along with their mother, Michelle Brown; and nieces, nephews, and cousins.

As we reflect on Skip's life, it is with great sadness that we must say, "Good-bye." Even so, we can celebrate his life and continue to allow his influence to shape us and be encouraged that he was in our lives. Even more, we can remember that he cared about us and loved us very much: his family, his friends, his shipmates, his co-workers, and the community.

We may mark August 1, 2016 as the day we lost Skip Reynolds: husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend. However, that day can be our memorial to a wonderful man, who had determination, passion, and purpose. As we move forward, we can learn from his example and aspire to live our lives in a similar way.

Sunday, August 28, 2016

Visitation from 4:00 – 8:00 PM

Rosary at 7:00 PM

PORTER LORING MORTUARY NORTH

2102 N. Loop 1604 East

San Antonio, TX 78232

Monday, August 29, 2016

Mass at 10:00 AM

HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC CHURCH

20523 Huebner Road

San Antonio, TX 78258

(210) 497-4200

Burial at 11:30 AM

FORT SAM HOUSTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

1520 Harry Wurzbach Road

San Antonio, TX 78209

LUNCHEON TO FOLLOW AT HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC CHURCH

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC CHURCH.