The Rev. James Reynolds

The Rev. James L. Reynolds, 63, a priest of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, died Tuesday, June 3, 2008, of complications from cancer.

A prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday at St. Mary Church in West Plains, Mo.

The funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the church. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery in Springfield.

Robertson-Drago Funeral Home in West Plains and Lohmeyer Funeral Home in Springfield are in charge of arrangements.

Reynolds was born April 11, 1945, in Vicksburg, Miss. He graduated from St. Aloysius High School in Vicksburg in 1963. He received a bachelor of science degree in mathematics from Mississippi State University in 1966, received a master of science degree in mathematics in 1967, and graduated from Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio, in April 1971.

Reynolds was ordained to the priesthood April 3, 1971, for the Diocese of Natchez-Jackson, Miss., by Archbishop Luigi Raimondi, apostolic delegate to the United States.

Reynolds graduated from Memphis State University in 1974 with a master of science degree in computer science. He was incardinated into the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau Nov. 21, 1977.

He served as associate pastor at two parishes in Mississippi before coming to this diocese. He served as chaplain at St. John's Hospital in Springfield and as chaplain, teacher and principal at Springfield Catholic High School. He served as moderator of DCCW Region II and family life director for Region VII.

Reynolds also served in many Missouri parishes, including Sacred Heart in Verona, Sacred Heart in Willow Springs, St. Joseph in White Church, St. Denis in Benton, St. Lawrence in New Hamburg, St. Eustachius in Portageville, St. Ambrose in Chaffee, St. Susanne in Mount Vernon, St. Patrick in Greenfield, St. Henry in Charleston, St. Joseph in Billings, St. Cecilia in Kennett, and St. Mary in Lamar.

He had served as pastor at St. Mary in West Plains and Sacred Heart in Thayer since August 2004.

There are no immediate family survivors.