Vernon L. Reynolds was born to Clifford C. Reynolds Sr. and Helen (Cook) Reynolds on November 19, 1935 in Shiller Park, IL. He departed this life and went into the arms of his Savior at his home on January 5, 2018.

He attended school in Licking MO and graduated from Licking High School in 1953. Vern served in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1958 serving in the Big Red One 28th Infantry Division. He played baseball as pitcher and shortstop for the Army company baseball team and always joked that he kept Fort Riley safe because it was never attacked by a foreign enemy. Vern was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan and he tried out as a shortstop for the Cardinals after his military service. He then entered the Missouri State Highway Patrol Academy and served as a highway patrolman for 33 years beginning in 1958 until he retired in 1991. He began his career in Rolla, MO (Troop I) for 3 years and then moved to Springfield, MO (Troop D) for his remaining 30 years of service. His duties in the patrol included 10 years on the road, 12 years as a safety information officer and then the last 11 years as a desk sergeant. Vern graduated Magna Cum Laude from Drury University in 1976 with a degree in Criminal Justice and served as President of the Evening Student Senate. After Vern’s retirement from the Patrol he served 4 years as a Special Deputy U.S. Marshall at the Federal Courthouse in Springfield.

Vern became a Christian at an early age and became a member of South Haven Baptist Church in 1976. He was ordained a deacon in 1987 at South Haven where he and his wife Evelyn served as ministers for single adults for 20 years. While a member of South Haven he went on mission trips to Vermont and Brazil. Vern and Evelyn became members of Second Baptist Church in 1999 and while at Second he also made mission journeys to Nicaragua and South Korea.

Vern married Rosemary Rodgers in 1955 and to this union two sons were born (Scott R and David L). In 1976 he married Evelyn Talley and they celebrated 41 years together last May. Vern is survived by his loving wife Evelyn, his son Scott and wife Linda, two granddaughters Nichole Vance (Mike) and Kelli Lewis (Landon), six great-grandchildren, one brother Tom (Mae), brother-in-law Jerry Holt (Jeanetta), sister-in-Law Brenda Holt and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, six brothers, one sister, son David, stepson Gordenceia (J.R.) Talley, Jr. In lieu of flowers the family has requested contributions to Foreign Missions at Second Baptist Church or the Missouri State Troopers Association MASTERS Program.

The family wishes to thank all of Vern’s health care providers at Mercy, especially his primary physician Dr. Dominic Meldi who provided wonderful care. Vern was respected and loved by his family and so many friends over his lifetime and he will be greatly missed by all.

Services for Vernon Reynolds will be at 10:00 am Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at Second Baptist Church in Springfield, MO with interment following at Hazelwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 pm Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at Greenlawn Funeral Home East.

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