Joseph Reynolds

Joseph Vincent Reynolds Jr. passed away on July 10th at his home in Napa. He was born on May 18th, 1928 in Los Angeles, CA to parents Joseph Vincent Reynolds Sr. and Helena Ingaborg Strom. He had one sibling, Patricia Reynolds, born in 1930. He graduated from Loyola High School in Los Angeles. After graduation he joined the Army and served a one year tour of duty with the 69th Division of engineers in Korea.. Upon returning home he enrolled at the University of Santa Clara on the GI bill and obtained a B.S. in engineering in 1952. During his senior year in 1951 he met his future wife, Carol (Hinds) Reynolds, when mutual friends introduced them on a blind date. Following graduation Joe was called back into the Army and served a second one year tour in Korea, this time with the 235th Field Engineers. Following his discharge from the Army, Joe and Carol were married in Los Angeles in April of 1954. Joe’s career in civil engineering began in Los Angeles, then Burbank, then Santa Paula, and in 1960 the family moved to Walnut Creek when he began working for the Bechtel Corporation. In 1966 he was hired by the Public Works Department of Napa and the family moved to Napa in 1967. In 1968 Joe moved to the Napa County Flood Control District office and later became Chief Flood Control Engineer. In 1976 Joe returned to work for Bechtel and spent time in Saudi Arabia working on the engineering and implementation of the water systems for the city of Jubail. He retired in 1994.

Joe was a loving and beloved family man, and most enjoyed time spent with his family and working around his property in Napa. He was a gracious and genial host to extended family and friends as he and Carol hosted many parties and family reunions over the years. Joe also enjoyed spending time in nature, having developed a love of backpacking early in his marriage. He took several trips with his children to the Trinity National Forest in northern California. Even into his early 70s, he went on solo backpacking trips. An avid reader, he shared that love by reading out loud to his children. He and youngest daughter Amy would read to each other in later years.

Joe is survived by his wife of 61 years, Carol Reynolds, children Teresa Reynolds, Mary Jane Reynolds, Shannon Victor, Ann Reynolds, Amy Reynolds and daughter in law Vanessa Waddy. He was preceded in death by children Kathleen Crews, Christopher Reynolds and Timothy Reynolds. His grandchildren are Andrew Crews, Bethany Crews, Emily Crews, Brian Crews, Langson Waddy-Reynolds, Moira Waddy-Reynolds, Neemah Waddy-Reynolds, Helena Victor and Liam Reynolds. Memorial Service Tuesday, August 4th at 10 am at Tulocay Chapel.

Words of sympathy may be sent to the family on line at: www.tulocaycemetery.org. Donations: Hospice by the Bay and Napa Land Trust.

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