Jeffrey Linn Reynolds Obituary

Jeff was born on October 4, 1954 in St. Louis, Missouri to Edward and Elizabeth Reynolds, and passed away with a smile on his face doing the thing he loved most - fishing with his Godfather, Donnie Gillio.

From an early age, he was very athletic, playing football and baseball in high school. When he was eight years old, he took up the sport that would become his second hobby later in life, bowling. He continued that sport throughout his life until just recently returning from a Senior’s tournament in Las Vegas. Jeff belonged to the Silver Foxes where he served as the Sargent of Arms.

When Jeff was 21, he entered the US Army and spent 4 years at Schofield Barracks on the island of Oahu. He was in charge of motor pool and received many certificates of recognition for having the best tanks and machinery on the entire base. Upon leaving the army, he ended up in Santa Rosa, CA working as the head mechanic at Hector’s Automotive. This job made him an ‘official’ member of the Gamber family, and with that membership, his fate with Georgina was sealed as they say. Jeff was asked to be in the wedding of the youngest Gamber daughter, Kathy, on June 18, 1983. Of course, Georgina would attend her cousin’s wedding and the two ended up meeting the loves of their life. Less than a year later, Jeff and Georgina Gambero were married on January 21, 1984.

Two years later, they started a family and business. Jeff opened up Reynolds Automotive and for 5 years did what he did best. He loved working on engines and especially restoring old cars and hot rods. Some of the best hot rod engines in Fresno were built and completed by him and his dear friend Jerry D’Ambrosio of Larry’s Automotive. Oh, the tales they could tell.

For the last 20 years and before Jeff retired, he drove a truck for several companies including Triangle, Moore Trucking, Yellow Freight, and ended his career with Angelica Textiles. He drove over 1 million miles with no accidents. He never failed to remind us that he was certainly a “Professional” driver, and to never forget it.

In retirement, he continued to do all the things he loved the most. Jeff and Georgina took a cruise to Alaska, a train trip from SF to Chicago to Seattle, and long RV trips to Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, and Oregon. Of course, they visited all the friends they had made over the years. They enjoyed spending their mornings drinking coffee, playing cards, and board games. When they weren’t traveling, they spent their time in the backyard bringing Georgina’s projects to life and crafting the woodwork and cornhole boards, he became infamous for making.

Upon marrying Georgina, Jeff joined St. Anthony of Padua, Fresno Catholic Church and started a lifelong spiritual journey. He was serving as a Eucharistic Minister and deeply committed to his faith. Jeff and Georgina made sure to visit new churches and attend mass wherever their travels took them.

Jeff is survived by his wife of 37 years, Georgina Gambero Reynolds, his daughter Marcella Reynolds Beasley and her husband Travis, and his son Santino Gambero Reynolds and his wife Kori.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: The Wounded Warrior Project, https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org or to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, https://www.lls.org.