Thursday, Jan. 10 2013 5:08PM
Gerald N. McReynolds
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ReprintGERALD N. MCREYNOLDS, JR
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Gerald N. “Mac” McReynolds, Jr. passed away Jan. 7, 2013 at Halifax Hospital in Daytona Beach, Florida.
He was born Nov. 25, 1923 to Gerald N. McReynolds and Jesse Bayne McReynolds in Mason City, Iowa.
He attended the public schools in Chicago and Blue Island, Ill. and Trenton, Missouri. He graduated from Trenton, Mo. High School in the Class of 1941 where he was active in band and vocal music. He later attended the Missouri School of Mines in Rolla, Mo., Trenton Junior college (now North Central Missouri College) in Trenton, Mo and Northeast Missouri State Teachers College (now Truman State University) in Kirksville, graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Physics and a Masters in Secondary Education Administration.
He is a veteran of WW II, having served in Italy in the 34th. Infantry Division where his unit was awarded two battle stars. He was discharged in April 1946.
He taught school in the Maysville, Gallatin, and Trenton, public school systems from 1948 to 1956. In 1956, he accepted a field engineering position with Western Electric Company with assignments in North Carolina, Bell Labs in New Jersey, Cape Canaveral, Fla., Buckley Naval Air Station, Colo., White Sands Missile Range, N.M., and finally retiring from Bell South in Daytona Beach, Fla.
Mac held a lifelong interest in Amateur Radio. He was a member of the American Radio Relay League for nearly 75 years and earned DXCC certificates in 10, 15, 40, 75 and 80 meter bands. He also held a private pilot’s license with an instrument rating and enjoyed flying his own airplane. He shared these activities with his wife and soul-mate of 55 years, Norma, who also held amateur radio and private pilot licenses. One of their favorite activities was taking cruises.
Mac and Norma were married on Aug.15, 1948 and produced a family of two sons.
Mac is preceded in death by his parents, Gerald and Jesse, and his beloved wife, Norma.
He is survived by his sons, Gerald N. “Gerry” McReynolds III and wife Stacy of Lee’s Summit, and Roger E. McReynolds and his wife Priscilla of Jacksonville, Fla. He is also survived by three grandchildren; Jason P. McReynolds of Kansas City, Joel M. McReynolds, M.D. of New Bradford, Md., and Lisa M. McReynolds of Orlando, Fla.
Visitation will be Jan. 12, 2013 from 1-2 p.m. with a memorial service following at 2 p.m. at the Cardwell Funeral Home, 3571 S. Ridgewood Ave., Port Orange, Fla.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to the NCMC Foundation at North Central Missouri College, 1301 Main Street, Trenton, MO., 64083.
(Arrangements: Cardwell Funeral Homes, 3571 S. Ridgewood Ave, Port Orange, Florida.)
