Terry Reynolds

Terry Reynolds was born on August 17, 1936, in the small rural community of Big Sandy, Tennessee, to Alene and James Woodrow Reynolds.

Shortly after his birth, Terry and his older brother, Elwood, moved with their parents to Cleveland, Ohio, where their father sought employment during the difficult economic conditions of the time.

James later worked as a bus driver for the Cleveland Transit Authority. The brothers became familiar faces to many of the other drivers, who often allowed them to ride free throughout the city. Life in their Cleveland neighborhood was challenging, and Terry and Elwood learned from an early age to be resilient and resourceful.

Terry’s father later enlisted in the Merchant Marines, which kept him away from the family for extended periods. The hardships of poverty and prolonged separation eventually led to the dissolution of his parents’ marriage. When Terry was about 10 years old and Elwood was 12, they returned with their mother to Big Sandy, where relatives welcomed them warmly. A family member offered them a small,

Vacant, two-room cabin with a kerosene stove, which became their home for several years. Terry was 14 when his parents’ divorce was finalized.

During his teenage years, Terry was fortunate to be mentored by several men who helped fill the void left by his father’s absence. Among them was his Uncle Fieldon, who taught him farming, mechanical skills, and the value of hard work. More importantly, he modeled the qualities of kindness, service, and integrity that Terry carried throughout his life. Terry worked on his uncle’s farm, and the two developed a close and lasting bond.

During this time, Terry and his brother also played instruments in their local church. Terry played both guitar and violin, and he enjoyed singing, a gift he would continue to share throughout his life.

Life remained difficult, and Elwood eventually returned to Cleveland to find work, staying with relatives in East Cleveland. At age 16, Terry left high school and followed his mother and brother to Cleveland, where factory jobs were available. Though hardship had shortened his childhood, it also shaped a maturity beyond his years. His younger cousin, Chuck Holland later recalled, “Terry was quiet about the difficult life he had left in Tennessee. He was not one to complain, but instead had a giving way about him. Terry was a serious and trustworthy person and often helped me with good, solid advice.”

Later in life, Terry earned his GED and continued his education through industrial studies in Willoughby, where he learned mechanical drawing, as well as through coursework at John Carroll University and Lakeland Community College. At just 16 years old, Terry found work in Cleveland as a warehouse employee.

Around that time, he became fond of a young woman named Mary Ellen, who worked at the local movie theater serving popcorn. Though initially too shy to strike up a conversation, fate soon intervened. One day, while driving with his friend Bob O’Dean, Terry saw Mary Ellen carrying a can of paint home and offered her a ride. Because she knew Bob, she accepted. Not long afterward, Terry called her, and the rest was history. They were eventually engaged and married in 1954, when Terry was 18 years old.

Terry later became a toolmaker at Oster Manufacturing Company, where his mechanical talent and keen intellect quickly became evident. In 1957, at the age of 21, he and Mary Ellen welcomed their first child, a daughter, Dawn. Their son, Mark, was born in 1959, followed by their second daughter, Ruth Ann, in 1965.

The couple purchased their first home on Victoria Avenue in Mentor, Ohio. After plans to build a home in nearby Kirtland became impractical, they decided to purchase the house on Roosevelt Drive in Mentor, where they would live for the next 61 years. Terry took great pride in maintaining and repairing things himself, and with the guidance of Mary Ellen’s uncle, Bob Burnett, he quickly learned how to fix nearly anything in both his home and church.

In 1971, Terry joined the newly established Towmotor/Caterpillar facility in Mentor as a foreman. Over time, he advanced within the company and became a mechanical engineer. When Caterpillar closed the Mentor facility in 1985, Terry was recruited by Parker-Hannifin Corporation, where he continued his work as a mechanical engineer and traveled frequently to other facilities. He retired at age 67.

Throughout his adult life, Terry was known as a devoted husband, loving father, and dedicated servant to his church and community. At Mentor United Methodist Church, he served faithfully as an usher, advisor to the maintenance committee, and active member of the building committee. He also participated in mission trips to underserved communities in Kentucky and Puerto Rico, where he helped lead church youth in rebuilding and improving homes for those in need.

His generous spirit extended into the broader community as well. Through his membership in the Freemasons, Terry contributed to charitable and fellowship efforts, and he also served in the Neighborhood Watch program sponsored by the Mentor Police Department.

Terry’s interests were varied and deeply enjoyed. He liked jogging, fishing, gardening, and restoring furniture. He was also an active member of the Civil War Roundtable, through which he studied history and traveled to significant Civil War sites. Of all his pursuits, however, sailing was his greatest passion. He loved owning, racing, and exploring aboard his sailboat, finding joy in the challenge and beauty of wind and water. In 1992, he had the honor of serving as Commodore of the Grand River Yacht Club.

Terry was a kind, loving man of deep faith who was committed to serving others, sharing his knowledge, and being the best husband, father, grandfather, and friend he could be.

He was preceded in death by his father, James Reynolds; his mother, Alene Reynolds; and his brother, Elwood Reynolds.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 70 years, Mary Ellen Reynolds; his daughter, Ruth Say, and son-in-law, Brian Say; his son, Mark Reynolds, and daughter-in-law, Pam Reynolds; and his daughter, Dawn Sanson, and son-in-law, Jeff Sanson. He was the cherished grandfather of Jamie Lagania; Laura Tricamo and her husband, Josh; Harrison Reynolds and his wife, Rachel; Kelsey Reynolds; Angela Sanson; Chaz Sanson and his wife, Meg; Carolyn Scott and her husband, Josh; and Nick Sanson and

his wife, Daniella. He was also the proud great-grandfather of Milo Tricamo, Millie Tricamo, Joanna Tricamo, Vanna Scott, Quincy Scott, and Casey Sanson.

Terry is also survived by his half-brother, Robert Reynolds, and his wife, Patricia; his half-sister, Patricia Carmen; and his blended extended family, including Kevin Say, Kyle Say and his wife, Laura, and their children, Lily Say and Luke Say.

A memorial service will be held at Mentor United Methodist Church on Friday, July 17, 2026, at 1:00 PM.. All are invited to attend a luncheon immediately following the service.