1941
John
2012
John Michael Reynolds
October 6, 1941 — November 28, 2012
Mike Reynolds, 61, of Cut Bank, whose humor, wisdom, work ethic and dedication earned the respect and made a difference in the lives of more young people than most of us will ever know in a lifetime, died of cancer Wednesday, Nov. 28, at home.
Cremation has taken place. A celebration of his life is 2 p.m. Sunday at Cut Bank High School, with private family burial to take place at a later date.
John M. (Mike) Reynolds was born Oct. 6, 1941, in San Francisco to Montana natives John R. and Marie Grenier Reynolds. Moving to Polson during his young teen years, Reynolds, an enrolled member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation, was a graduate of Polson High School, Class of 1959, a class with friendships (give or take a year either way) whose bonds still remain strong. He continued his schooling at Northern Montana College and earned his degree in elementary education from the University of Montana in 1963. In 1964, Reynolds enlisted as a member of the 650th Personnel Service Company of the United States Army Reserve, Great Falls and served for six years. His name is among those honored at the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes' Warrior/Veterans Wall of Remembrance at the Eagle Circle in Pablo.
Teaching one year in Power in 1962 and then moving to Cut Bank, Reynolds began a career as an educator and coach that would span the next 50 years, finishing with the 2012 cross-country season. Many middle school English students came under his tutelage; his passion was track and field and cross-country and for Reynolds there was no finish line. He would always be preparing for the next meet, the next season. Inducted into the Montana High School Association Coaches Hall of Fame and the National High School Association Coaches Hall of Fame, Reynolds was tireless in helping young athletes attain their potential. His life-long friendships with like-minded coaches reached across the state and country.
Reynolds married Linda Cook at a family ranch near Geraldine on Dec. 23, 1973. He is survived by his wife; daughters Jill Reynolds and Erin Reynolds of Portland, Ore.; son John Reynolds, currently living in Cut Bank; siblings Richard Reynolds, Sharon Reynolds and Joseph Browning all of Polson; and aunt Dorothy Grenier of Portland, Ore.
The family's deepest appreciation goes out to the doctors and staff at Benefis East, Great Falls, and Northern Rockies Medical Center, Cut Bank, for their excellent care and also to nurse/neighbor Janice Fauque whose willingness to step in allowed Mike to be at home during his final weeks.
Memorials may be made to Rockies Healthcare Foundation PO Box 10 Cut Bank, MT 59427 or Polson High School Class of '59 Scholarship 32564 Skidoo Lane Polson, MT 59860
Cremation has taken place. A celebration of his life is 2 p.m. Sunday at Cut Bank High School, with private family burial to take place at a later date.
John M. (Mike) Reynolds was born Oct. 6, 1941, in San Francisco to Montana natives John R. and Marie Grenier Reynolds. Moving to Polson during his young teen years, Reynolds, an enrolled member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation, was a graduate of Polson High School, Class of 1959, a class with friendships (give or take a year either way) whose bonds still remain strong. He continued his schooling at Northern Montana College and earned his degree in elementary education from the University of Montana in 1963. In 1964, Reynolds enlisted as a member of the 650th Personnel Service Company of the United States Army Reserve, Great Falls and served for six years. His name is among those honored at the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes' Warrior/Veterans Wall of Remembrance at the Eagle Circle in Pablo.
Teaching one year in Power in 1962 and then moving to Cut Bank, Reynolds began a career as an educator and coach that would span the next 50 years, finishing with the 2012 cross-country season. Many middle school English students came under his tutelage; his passion was track and field and cross-country and for Reynolds there was no finish line. He would always be preparing for the next meet, the next season. Inducted into the Montana High School Association Coaches Hall of Fame and the National High School Association Coaches Hall of Fame, Reynolds was tireless in helping young athletes attain their potential. His life-long friendships with like-minded coaches reached across the state and country.
Reynolds married Linda Cook at a family ranch near Geraldine on Dec. 23, 1973. He is survived by his wife; daughters Jill Reynolds and Erin Reynolds of Portland, Ore.; son John Reynolds, currently living in Cut Bank; siblings Richard Reynolds, Sharon Reynolds and Joseph Browning all of Polson; and aunt Dorothy Grenier of Portland, Ore.
The family's deepest appreciation goes out to the doctors and staff at Benefis East, Great Falls, and Northern Rockies Medical Center, Cut Bank, for their excellent care and also to nurse/neighbor Janice Fauque whose willingness to step in allowed Mike to be at home during his final weeks.
Memorials may be made to Rockies Healthcare Foundation PO Box 10 Cut Bank, MT 59427 or Polson High School Class of '59 Scholarship 32564 Skidoo Lane Polson, MT 59860
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