Jerry L. Reynolds

Jerry Lee Reynolds passed away Friday, April 19, 2024, at the age of 86 at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born in Cape Girardeau County to James Dudley and Dora Johnson Reynolds on Dec. 27, 1937. He was the middle of three sons.

Jerry graduated from College High School in 1955. He and Lillie "Lil" Mae Propst were married Nov. 23, 1958, at Red Star Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau. Together, they raised three sons.

When his sons were in Boy Scouts, Jerry was a Boy Scout leader. In 1959, he joined the National Guard. He worked at Unnerstall Drug Store, Riverside Lumber and Southeast Lumber. He owned Southeast Lumber for several years before selling it. He also had J.L. Reynolds Construction and built several homes,

He was Cape Girardeau County assessor for 36 years. He had been president of Cape Girardeau Jaycees and president of his Rotary Club in Cape Girardeau and was a Paul Harris Fellow in Rotary Club. He also served on Cape Girardeau City Council, when he was younger.

When he was assessor, Jerry was president and was on two boards. He was on the county employees retirement fund board and Missouri Association of Counties board. He was chosen as one of the outstanding young men of Missouri.

Jerry was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend.

He was a member of Cape Girardeau Elks for over 50 years. He was a member at Kimbeland County Club, where he played golf, and Cape Girardeau Jaycees Golf Club. He was a member of the VFW.

He and Lil were members of Red Star Baptist Church from 1958 to 2010. In 2010, they began attending Cape County Cowboy Church.

Jerry was so proud of his sons and grandsons. He carried a small Bible in his car and went to Cape County Park North and read it often.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 65 1/2 years, Lil Reynolds; son, Mark (Shaina) Darrin Reynolds; brother, J.D. (Marge) Reynolds; stepsister-in-law, Ruth Farrow; and sister-in-law, Karen Reynolds.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sons, Scott Douglas Reynolds and Michael David Reynolds; brother, Larry Reynolds; stepfather, Laurence Farrow; and stepbrothers, Dean Farrow and Ivan Farrow.

Jerry’s family would like to thank Gerald and Clarice Jones for their help and support, as well as all of Jerry’s friends who offered help.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Red Star Food Pantry or the Southeast Missouri Food Bank.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 25, at the funeral home, with the Rev. Donny Ford officiating. Burial will be at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.