Ronald William Reynolds, age 67, passed away on March 9, 2022, in Springfield, MO after a long battle with Parkinson’s and Lewy Body Dementia.

He was born May 30, 1954, in Detroit, Michigan to Lynn Edward Reynolds and Shirley Ann (Stafford) Reynolds. Ron graduated from Willard High School in 1972, from the University of Missouri-Rolla as a Civil Engineer in 1978, and from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Memphis, TN in 1987 with a Master of Divinity degree. In 1973, he married Cynthia (Cindy) Marie Gifford, and to this union, three children were born: Matt, Chris and Abby.

After graduating from UMR, Ron worked for Brown & Root in Houston, TX for several years before moving his family back to Springfield. He was employed by the Missouri State Highway Department before going to work for City Utilities. Feeling the call into ministry, the family moved to Memphis, TN in 1983 where, while attending seminary, he also served as minister of music at Tchulahoma Baptist Church. Before graduating from seminary, he pastored First Baptist Church, Turrell, AR. Three years later, he accepted a call from Gassville Baptist Church, Gassville, AR to become their pastor. In 1992, he and the family returned to Springfield, where he once again worked for City Utilities until his retirement in 2009. Ron’s ministry became his teaching position at Second Baptist Church, where he taught an Adult Bible Fellowship class for 11 years until illness prevented him from continuing to do so. He and Cindy have been members at Second Baptist for 25 years.

Ron genuinely loved people, faithfully giving much of himself to those he ministered to for nearly 40 years. He was universally loved by everyone he met. He loved his family tremendously, leading them well, and never missed an opportunity to give a hug, emote, and tell them how much he loved them. But mostly, he passionately loved Jesus and the Gospel – devoting his life to teaching the depths of scripture to all who would hear. He also took every opportunity to teach his children his other passions; playing catch, trout fishing, and helping with calculus. He seemed to have an uncanny ability to understand that deep conversations were often better received with a fishing rod in-hand, or on the golf course.

Survivors include the love of his life, his wife Cindy; three children: Matt and wife Rachel of Springfield; Chris and wife Jenny of Boston, MA; and daughter Abby of Springfield. Seven grandchildren: Cailin and Kinsley, Emma and Sadie, and Carter, Wesley and Sylvia. He also leaves his father Lynn, of Springfield, and brothers Steve (Delana) of Springfield and Danny (Kathy) of Belton, MO; brother-in-law Tim Gifford of New Ulm, TX; sister-in-law Kerry and husband Ron Keller of San Antonio, TX; and sister-in-law Laurie and husband Dale Harper of Houston TX, as well as many other family members too numerous to mention. He leaves behind many friends, including former colleagues at City Utilities and beloved friends from Second Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Shirley Stafford Reynolds, his father-in-law Richard Gifford and mother-in-law Peggy Joyce Brady Gifford.

A memorial service will be held at Second Baptist Church on Saturday, April 16 at 11:00 am, with visitation at 10:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Bridges for Youth, PO Box 9866, Springfield, MO 65801 or Parkinson’s Group of the Ozarks, 1136 E St. Louis St, Springfield, MO 65806.