Major Edward C. Reynolds, U. S. Air Force Retired

Major Edward Clifford Reynolds, age 90, died on December 25, 2006 in Biloxi, Mississippi, after a short illness. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri to the late Edward and Minnie Bradley Reynolds on December 21, 1916. He was educated in the public school system of St. Louis and attended the University of Illinois. As a young boy growing up in St Louis, he greatly admired Charles Lindbergh who became his role model. In later years, he had the opportunity to meet him and tell him how much he wanted to be like him. Major Reynolds joined the Army Air corps in December, 1936 and was assigned as a student to the Air Corps Mechanics Engineering School. Upon completion, he was retained as an instructor in the engine department. He served honorably in every grade including that of chief warrant officer. He completed the Air Force flying school and was assigned to the Basic Flying School at Waco, Texas as an instructor. He flew in the Pacific, Asiatic Theater of War, England, and Germany. He retired from the United States Air Force as a senior test pilot. During his career, he flew P-47s, P-51s, F-80s and F-84s. He also flew the C-54 on the Berlin Airlift over Germany in 1947. After returning from the Berlin Airlift, he served in the office of the inspector general at Wright Patterson Air Force Base as an inspector of engine overhaul facilities. Major Reynolds had two tours in Alaska. On one tour, he instructed Russian aircraft personnel on the proper maintenance of American Aircraft procedures. This instruction was received under the Lend Lease program of the time. The last years of his career, he was the chief of aircraft maintenance for the Flying Training Air Force. After retiring from the United States Air Force, Major Reynolds worked under Admiral Rickover supervising the construction and testing of nuclear power plants. They were installed in United States Navy Submarines a work which had only one standard, that of perfection. As an avid sailor, he was a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary in Ocean Springs, MS for many years serving as Commander, sailing and teaching as well as assisting with rescue work. He was recognized by the people of West Jackson County for his work as a member of the St. Martin/Ocean Springs Harbor Commission. He served as their secretary for over 30 years. Major Reynolds was interviewed by Sidney Rushing on July 31, 2002 for the Mississippi Oral History Program and the John C. Robinson Brown Condor Project. John C. Robinson was a civilian student of Major Reynolds at the Air Corps Airplane Mechanics School in Rantoul, IL. Major Reynolds interview audio and the final manuscript will be deposited into the University of Southern Mississippi Archives, the state Archives of Mississippi in Jackson, and deposited with the John C. Robinson Brown Condor Project. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife the late Thelma Sander Reynolds, his sister-in-law LCDR Mary Virginia Roach, NC USN, Retired, and his nephew Kevin Doyle. He is survived by his wife Lieutenant Colonel Patricia Doyle Reynolds, USAF, Retired of Biloxi, MS; and his sister Mrs. Vera Bertha Sappington of St. Louis, MO; his niece Dr. Ellen Sappington of Maryville, IL; his nephew Mr. Lee Edward and Dorothy Sappington of Hot Springs Village, AK; and his grandnieces and nephew, Nancy Sappington of Eureka, MO; Peggy Sappington of Warrenton, VA; and Robert and Harriet Sappington of Columbia, MO. His brother-in-law and wife John M. and Annette Doyle of Helena, MT; nieces and nephews Mike and Cheryl Steele of Helena, MT, Jacqueline and Russell Shively of Mendocino, CA, Deborah Wells of Great Falls, MT, Gregory and Janice Doyle of Lompoc, CA, Pamela Oleson of Great Falls, MT, and Jeoffery and Karen Johnson of Great Falls, MT. The visitation will be Monday, January 1, 2007, from 5 until 7 p.m. at the Pass Road Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes in Biloxi. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, 2090 Pass Rd, Biloxi. Interment will follow in Biloxi National Cemetery with full military honors. Memorial donations may be sent to: Dogs for the Deaf, Inc. 10175 Wheeler Road, Central Point, OR 97502