Gary Wayne Reynolds, 82, succumbed to pancreatic cancer on March 8, 2026, in Bella Vista, AR. He was born on October 27, 1943, in Kansas City, Missouri, the second son of Forest and LaVona Joy Reynolds. When Gary was five years old, his maternal grandfather passed away, and his father was finally able to fulfill a lifelong dream of farming. The family moved to Joy Acres, an 80-acre farm outside Holden, Missouri, while continuing to rent the 160 acres his grandfather had farmed since the 1930s. It was there that Gary's character was formed — in hard work, faith, family, and community.

He attended Pleasant View School, a one-room schoolhouse serving grades one through eight, located a mile and a half from home. Gary and his brother Don walked each day, often catching rides from passing neighbors and strangers along Highway 131 - a testament to a different time. Their mother served as the school cook.

At age eight, while attending church camp at Knob Noster State Park at the evening campfire, Gary accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He grew up attending First Baptist Church in Holden and remained a devoted member of the Southern Baptist Church throughout his life.

When Pleasant View was annexed into the Holden School District, Gary's mother encouraged him to join the school band. With the help of his music teacher and an installment plan, Gary purchased a tenor saxophone. To make the payments, he worked in the school lunchroom, handing out milk cartons and cleaning up, giving up recess. He learned early that if you wanted to play, you had to pay.

While at Mizzou, Gary met Virginia Stonner. One Saturday evening, he invited her to church the following morning. Gary was never late for anything in his life, except for church that day.  They would have been too late for the Methodist Church, but on time for the Baptist church. He never asked again which church she preferred. Gary and Virginia were married on September 5, 1965, beginning a partnership that would span 60 years. Their daughter Catherine Joy was born while they lived in Columbia.

Gary began his banking career as an agricultural loan officer in Nevada, Missouri, where his daughter Brenda was born. He was ordained as a deacon at First Baptist Church in Nevada, reflecting both his leadership and deep faith.

In 1974, after the passing of Virginia's father, the family moved to Marshall, Missouri. During these years, Gary and Virginia bought and renovated several homes — including one famously painted John Deere green simply because the paint was a bargain.

In 1984, Gary became a bank president in Trenton, Missouri — the first of several banks he would serve as bank president, including Bethany, Hamilton, Pattonsburg, and Chamois. He was deeply involved in civic leadership everywhere he lived and served as Mayor while in Chamois. He believed leadership was service, and service was a responsibility.

Family was central to Gary's life. Each summer, during his two-week vacation, he carefully planned family trips across the United States so that each day included a new experience or lesson. Travel was never idle — it was educational, intentional, and often included farmland. While driving through the Rocky Mountains, Virginia would often comment on how pretty it was and that Gary was not allowed to look and had to keep his eyes on the road.  Many trips included side trips to check out farmland or other items that the bank had a loan on.  Several trips included repossessing cars.  He rarely returned home by the same route, always curious to see new farmland.

In 2008, Gary decided to retire from banking, and they moved to Bella Vista.  Well, this concept of slowing down and retirement did not take.  Gary took up a real estate business. He also bought several houses to flip and then sell or rent.  Doing nothing was never his gift.

Gary devoured many different newspapers, including towns where they used to live in, to stay informed.  He treasured the friendships from the Bella Vista Traveling Sams and Ozark Winnies.   He loved being outdoors — gardening, fishing, camping — and he was happiest when active.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Forest and LaVona Reynolds; his in-laws, Jesse and Dorothy Stonner; and his sister-in-law, Annaleisa Reynolds.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Virginia; daughters, Cathy Bail (Keith) of Boonville, Missouri, and Brenda Reynolds-Decker (Karl) of Cypress, Texas; grandchildren, Casey Decker-Klank (Alex) of Cypress, Texas; Landon Bail (Bre Smith) of Columbia; and Carson Bail of Boonville; his brother, Don (Deanna) of Columbia; sister-in-law, Judy Eaheart (Edwin) of Marshall; nieces and nephews, Nancy Ripperger (Brian) of Ashland, MO; David Eaheart of Kansas City, MO; Dietlinde Stitzer (Joe) of Columbia, MO, and Kirk Reynolds (Kennedy) of Lafayette, CO.

Gary loved the Lord, his family, the land, and a life of purpose. He believed in leaving every situation — and every person — better than he found them. His life was not measured merely in years, but in service given, lessons taught, land tended, communities strengthened, and love shared.

A life well lived is one that makes the world better. Gary did exactly that.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Village Baptist Church, 380 Glasgow Rd., Bella Vista, AR 72715, followed by a memorial service at 2:00 p.m. A live stream will be available at Village Baptist Church on Facebook. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Ridge Park Cemetery, 804 E. Yerby St., Marshall, MO 65340, followed by a reception at Bloomfield Family Restaurant, 1335 W. Vest St., Marshall, MO 65340 (just off Business 65).

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Village Baptist Church, 380 Glasgow Rd, Bella Vista, AR 72715, Bella Vista Historical Society, 1885 Bella Vista Way, Bella Vista, AR 72714 or Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Rd, Springdale, AR.