Donald Clarence Reynolds, 92, joined his late wife Barbara in Heaven, on September 12, 2022. Don was born December 8, 1929, in Port Huron, MI, to Robert and Leola (Day) Reynolds. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of sixty years; parents; brothers, Robert, Milton, and Larry Reynolds; sisters, Lanora Reid, Marjorie Werner, Janet Gerlach, Gail McLean, Linda Campbell, and infant Audrey Lynn Reynolds.

Don grew up in a family of eleven siblings born between 1926 and 1953. He was an animal lover and true horseman who keenly saw and brought out the hidden potential in all horses, even the difficult ones. An accomplished trainer and rider, many of Don's most defining moments in life were with horses and he believed he was a better person, leader, husband, and dad because of those experiences. Well into his later years he enjoyed being near animals and had a calm bond with them. He loved the rodeo and, after hanging up his own spurs, never missed an opportunity to watch a go-round, in person or on TV.

In 1951 he joined the US Army at the age of twenty-one. Following Basic Training, he was stationed with the 525th Military Police Company at Fort Bragg, NC. Don took pride in his time in the Army and relationships he formed during his service. He beamed at the enlistment of his Grandson, Armando, who has served a distinguished career in the Army. One of Don's proudest moments was virtually attending Armando's Promotion Ceremony when he attained the rank of Major.

Following military service Don returned to Port Huron where he met the love of his life, Barbara Leslie, one evening at Powers Diner. After a brief courtship, they were wed on January 9, 1954. Don worked in construction from his early teens until 1970, starting alongside his father and two brothers digging basements, often with a team of horses in the early years, and moving into the sewer piping, septic tank, and drainfield construction business servicing the entire St. Clair County area. He went on to work in highway construction for Blue Water Excavating; St. Clair County Road Commission; Sheldon Contracting; Cruickshank Electrical Contractor; and joined the City of Port Huron in 1970 as Superintendent of Public Works, Streets Division, retiring in 1989. Don was a member of the American Legion with the Charles A. Hammond, Post No. 8 in Port Huron. He was also a life member of Pine Grove Masonic Lodge No. 11 F.& A.M. In their mid-life, Don and Barb enjoyed competitive archery and bowling, traveling the country to compete on an amateur level. During those years he could often be found in his small workshop tuning their bows and building arrows. He enjoyed the outdoors, and loved archery hunting for deer, instilling this passion in his son and grandsons. Don and Barb loved to watch their grandchildren compete in various sports, baseball being a favorite. In their retirement years, Don and Barb traveled to forty-nine of the fifty states, often towing their RV. They became "snowbirds" traveling to their home near Sebring, Florida, in the winter, playing golf several times a week and spending time with friends. Ever the competitor, Don enjoyed shooting pool and eventually had a pool table installed in his home - one of his prized possessions. He quite enjoyed baiting visitors into a game where he often beat them handily for a quarter a game.

In 2004 Don and Barb traveled to Hawaii to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary - a highlight of their travels together. They shared this special trip with their lifelong friends, Al and Fay Frost.

After Barb's passing in 2013 following a lengthy battle with cancer, Don moved to Kennesaw, GA, to spend the remainder of his years living with his daughter, Dianne, where he "fired" nearly every repairman or landscaper she hired, and soon became the handyman to the entire neighborhood. She often received phone calls from neighbors asking if Don could look at a leaky faucet, broken cabinet, or lawnmower that refused to run. He was always most eager to oblige. This service to others fulfilled his spirit and gave him great satisfaction. Ever the craftsman, he loved tools of all sorts. He would often stop at hardware stores just to see if there was something he could use to fix or tinker with. There was nothing he could not mend with a steady hand and useful tool.

He will be remembered by his family as a quiet man of uncompromising character. His stoic attributes defined who he was - honest, loyal, proud, resourceful, hard-working, determined, kind and loving. He found pleasure in the simple, a game of pool, a good joke, a story, the soft muzzle of a horse, the flight of a true arrow and the love of his family. He loved one woman for his entire life and was heartbroken at her passing. His family takes great comfort in knowing they are together again at last.

Family was the center of Don's life. He is survived by three daughters, Cathy (Gary) Welsh, MI; Denise (Joseph) Marenich, NC; Dianne Foster, GA; son, Don (Tammy) Reynolds, SC. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Armando Lee (Janice Neecole) Diaz, VA; Nathan (Tiffany) Welsh, TN; Carla Diaz (David Whittington), NC; Bryan (Heather) Welsh, MI; Carissa (TJ) Young, MI; H. Carson (Taylor) Foster, TX; Jason Reynolds, SC; and Jeremy Reynolds, SC; 16 great-grandchildren; sisters Carol Bloink and Donna Alexander, both of MI; and several nieces, nephews, and dear in-laws.

Cremation has been cared for by Marietta Funeral Home and Crematory, Marietta, GA. Don and Barb Reynolds' remains will be buried together for eternity at Lakeside Cemetery, Port Huron, MI where a family graveside service will be held later. Family wishes are for donations to be made in memory of Donald C. Reynolds to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary - Horse Haven, 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab, UT 84741 or online at Best Friends