Thomas Leroy Reynolds

Thomas Leroy Reynolds,84, died on March 1, 2024.  He was the second of six children born to Jewel and Gene Reynolds of Iuka, Miss.  His brother, David Lee Reynolds, and his sister, Charlotte Reynolds Shock, are in heaven, along with his parents, to welcome him there.  

He leaves behind his devoted wife, Margaret, who has been dedicated to his care, his two loving sons, Thomas Leroy Reynolds, Jr. (Tucker) and Tim Reynolds (Marty), and their mother, Nona Reynolds, all of Ocean Springs, and his stepson, Larry Stewart   of Phoenix, Ariz. Also, left to cherish his memory are his wonderful grandchildren, Baylor, Trey, Rachel, and Emily, along with two brothers, Gene Reynolds (Clarene) and Joe Reynolds, and his sister, Sybil Canon (Al), and sister-in-law, Sandra Reynolds, and wonderful nephew and nieces, Danny Reynolds, Cliff Reynolds, Mitzi Pruitt, Dennis Pruitt, Russell Shock, Seleta Reynolds, David Lee Reynolds, Hayley Reynolds, Jennifer Roberts Jenkins, Emily Roberts Wilson, and Jason Reynolds, and their families.

“Big Tom,” as he was affectionately called, was a 1957 graduate of Iuka High School where he was president of his senior class. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from the University of Southern Mississippi. He was the first person in his family to graduate from college. It was a financial struggle, but he persisted and accomplished what many thought would be an impossible achievement.

His professional life was spent in the insurance industry, first as an adjuster with Crawford and Company, then as a longtime agent with Allstate Insurance Company, and, finally, as a founding officer of Reynolds Independent Insurance Agency. With Allstate, he was recognized many times as the leading insurance agent in the state.

He served 2 terms as an Alderman of the City of Ocean Springs. He loved Ocean Springs, and he believed strongly in the potential of this golden gem on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

He served 2 terms as Commodore of the Ocean Springs Yacht Club.  He was famous for coming in and claiming “table 42”.

He had many boats and the younger generation knew that anyone who was at his boat at 11 AM on Sunday Morning had a ride to Horn Island and he became known as “The Mayor of Horn Island”.

His love of travel took him as far west as Hawaii, as far east as China, as far north as Alaska  and as far south as New Zealand.  Even to the end of his life, he was making plans for another great trip.

He will be remembered as someone who loved his family. He had a tender heart that he often covered up with his fun-loving nature. He was generous to a fault, always wanting to help those who might be struggling. As a young boy growing up in the Iuka Methodist Church, he affirmed his belief in Christ, and he then re-affirmed that in his last days on earth. Thus, he has joined his family members in heaven.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests the memorial gifts be sent to Tunnel to Towers ( https://t2t.org/) or Home of Grace (https://www.homeofgrace.org/) or the charity of their choice.

Visitation will be on Saturday, March 9, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., with 12:00 p.m. service, at St. Paul Church, 800 Porter Avenue, Ocean Springs, MS. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Ocean Springs.  A Celebration of Life  will be held at the Ocean Springs Yacht Club from 1:00p.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Homes is honored to serve the family of Thomas Leroy Reynolds.