George Reynolds

George Walton Reynolds, 77, of Brevard, passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, February 25, 2020, following a long illness from pulmonary fibrosis. A native of Charleston, W.Va., he was the son of the late Walton W. and Flora V. (Salisbury) Reynolds.

A United States Navy veteran, he graduated from Naval Officer Candidate School and served in the submarine corps. He received his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Morris Harvey College (now University of Charleston), and worked at Olin-Mathison Paper Mill, and Ampex Corp. in Opelika, Ala. At Ampex, he worked in quality control and became an expert in the analysis of magnetic media. One of the highlights of his career was being on a team studying magnetic tape which had been retrieved from the Hubble space telescope.

He believed in giving back to his community, most recently volunteering for Habitat for Humanity for 11 years in Henderson County. During the 1970s while living in Transylvania County he was active with Junior Achievement. Later in Auburn, Ala., he was a member of the Lion’s Club Auburn Game Day Squad and the Optimist Club. He was a regular blood donor for decades until his health declined. George loved music and could play the piano and guitar by ear. He had a fine singing voice and sang in several vocal ensembles including the Transylvania Choral Society. He is remembered fondly for his quick wit and sharp sense of humor.

George would have celebrated 54 years of marriage on March 26 to his devoted wife, the former Anna Priestley and is also survived by his children, Kelly Reynolds Dockery (Kevin) of Aurora, Ill., Catherine Reynolds Strassner (Christopher) of Brevard, George Christopher Reynolds of Asheville, and grandchildren Caroline Grace Cochran, of Auburn, Ala., and Hannah Claire and Miller Walton Strassner of Brevard.

George was preceded in death by his older brother William V. Reynolds. He is survived by three sisters, Margie Bays of Elkin, W.Va., Julia (Jerry) Spiegler of Nitro, W.Va., and Virginia Marion of Vancouver, Wa., and his brother, Herbert H. Reynolds of Jacksonville, Fla. He leaves behind 12 nieces and nephews and many great-nieces and great-nephews, as well as dear cousins, James Jackson (Evelyn) of Charleston, W.Va., Capt. Charles Jackson (Marty) of Mount Pleasant, S.C., and Larry Jackson (Sharon) also of Mount Pleasant, S.C.

A private family service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Habitat for Humanity, 1111 Keith St, Hendersonville, NC 28792

To leave a condolence for the family of George W. Reynolds, please visit "obituaries" at www.moorefh.com.

Moore-Blanchard Funerals & Cremations is caring for the family.