In Remembrance ...
Pastor Marion H. Reynolds, Jr
April 19, 1919 - September 3,1997
"...He had this testimony that he pleased
God." -Hebrews 11:5
God saw that he was getting tired
And a cure was not to be,
So He put His arms around him
And whispered, "Come with Me."
With tearful eyes we watched him suffer
And saw him fade away,
Although we loved him dearly,
We could not make him stay.
A golden heart stopped beating,
Hard-working hands came to rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us
He only takes the best. —
©1997 Therese Williamson
"Finally Home"
He lived his life for the moment he would see his Father's face--
To pass from this, a world of trial, into a perfect place.
Though our hearts still ache with sadness, painful tears we know too well,
Yet we sorrow not as those who have no hope on which to dwell.
If only we could see him! Not a tear of grief would fall;
To see him finally Home with Christ, we'd sorrow not at all.
For we cannot make these heavy hearts of sadness disappear,
Recalling one so close to us--so precious and so dear,
Yet we know that we shall see him. Sweet reunion it shall be!
In a place that's void of sickness, where these tears of grief shall flee.
Finally Home--the Saviour called him; He alone knows what is best,
Where the angels sing in gladness and His saints forever rest.
Finally Home--what blest assurance! Finally Home--such sweet repose!
Through tears, rejoice--he's finally Home, and what great joy he knows!
--Cherilyn K. Costella for her Grandfather
Marion H. Reynolds, Jr., was born April 19, 1919, in Los Angeles, California. He
graduated from Franklin High School in 1936 where he was student body president. On
November 4, 1938, he married his high school sweetheart, Frances Elizabeth Chapman, and
their wedding was the first to be held in the sanctuary of the new auditorium of Grace
Fundamental Church in Los Angeles. Following graduation from high school, he was employed
with Texas Oil Company (TEXACO) where he rapidly advanced within the company. In the early
1940s, he accepted God’s call into the Gospel Ministry and therefore left TEXACO to
receive his theological training at Fundamental Bible Institute in Los Angeles. Upon his
graduation and ordination, he entered the ministry of the Fundamental Evangelistic
Association and joined the pastoral staff of Grace Fundamental Church in Los Angeles. He
later became active, along with his father, M. H. Reynolds, Sr., in the work of such
organizations as the Independent Fundamental Churches of America (IFCA), which was formed
in 1932; the American Council of Christian Churches (ACCC), formed in 1941, where he
served first as secretary and then as president of the Council; and the International
Council of Christian Churches (ICCC), where he served as vice president. In the late 1960s
and through the 1980s, he traveled extensively throughout the United States as well as
foreign countries on behalf of the ACCC and ICCC. He was awarded honorary doctorate
degrees from Bob Jones University and Manatha Bible College. Following the death of his
father, Pastor Reynolds, Jr., became president and director of the Fundamental
Evangelistic Association as well as senior pastor of Grace Fundamental Church in Los
Angeles. In the late 1970s, the Fundamental Evangelistic Association moved to Los Osos,
California, where Pastor Reynolds served for the past twenty years as senior pastor of
, President of the Fundamental Evangelistic Association, Editor of
Foundation magazine, contributor to Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide, and
was heard weekly on the radio broadcast, "What Does the Bible Say?" throughout
the United States, Canada and the world.
He and his loving wife of 59 years, Frances Elizabeth, have been blessed with five
children, as well as thirteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Pastor Reynolds
went home to be with the Lord Wednesday, September 3, 1997, at the age of 78, at his
residence following a brief illness. He remained active in the pulpit, radio broadcast and
literature ministry until the last two weeks of his fruitful life. He will be remembered
by his wife and family as a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather. His main
desire until the Lord called him home was the salvation of those who had no hope and the
care for those to whom he ministered.
He has influenced the lives of thousands of people throughout his lifetime and has
helped many people in their times of trial and tribulation. Although the homegoing of
Pastor Reynolds is especially difficult for friends and family who are left behind, he is
in a far better place right now. His purpose in life was to honor, love and obey the Lord
by being a faithful watchman and undershepherd of the flock. At this very moment, he is
face to face with his Creator Whom he strove to please. Brethern, we can be thankful that
we "sorrow not, even as others who have no hope."
(A Pastor M.H. Reynolds Memorial Fund has been established)
