John R Reynolds

John Randolph Reynolds, of St. Marys, Ohio passed away on Friday, January 17, 2025, and is awaiting the return of his lord and savior, Jesus Christ.  

John Reynolds was born to Walter Ernest Reynolds and Hester Louise Hoffman on September 2, 1943, in Dallas, Texas.  He was the oldest of three children.  His father Walter served in the Army during the first World War.  His service to his country left a vivid impression of commitment and service in John’s mind.  This was key to his enlisting in the Navy right after high school.  His mother loved God and was devoted to caring for her family.  She read the Bible daily and faithfully attended church every Sunday, endeavoring to raise her children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord the best she knew.  John grew up in Oklahoma and developed a deep love for God and his country that guided him throughout his life.

John proudly served in the U.S. Navy as a radio operator from 1961 to 1964.  He was assigned to the USS Braine, a Fletcher-class destroyer in the South Pacific.  This experience further solidified his patriotism and respect for those in military service.  

In 1978, he attended his first Bible fellowship with The Way Ministry and took the foundational class on Power for Abundant Living.  This marked the beginning of a lifelong journey of faith and service.  As John continued learning about God and building his understanding of God’s Word, he found his true passion, serving God.  He entered The Way Corps Christian leadership training program in 1979 and graduated in July 1982.  During his training, he met Vicki Lynn Dahl.  They were married on July 28, 1982, and shared 40 years of devoted partnership in marriage and ministry service.

John dedicated over four decades to serving as a Way Corps minister with The Way International.  His responsibilities included coordinating the Purchasing Department at The Way College of Emporia in Kansas, serving as the International Outreach Department coordinator from 1987 to 1994, and leading ministry work across the mid-south region from 1994 to 1998.  He was ordained to the Christian ministry on August 13, 1990.  He later served as Secretary-Treasurer on the Board of Trustees of The Way International from 1998 to 2002.  From 2002 until his retirement in 2023, John served in various other capacities at The Way International Headquarters, including in the Purchasing Department and the Bookstore.

John’s ministry work took him across five continents, where he taught God’s Word and supported and trained ministry leaders worldwide.  One of John’s traits in working with these leaders was to set a godly vision for their lives.  He helped them to rise up to serve God in greater capacities.

John is survived by his son, James Richard Reynolds, his first wife, Ramona Bonnin, his sister and brother-in-law Janey and David Ring, his nephew James Scott Reynolds II, and his niece Angela Denise Norvelle.  He was preceded in death by his father, Walter Ernst Reynolds, his mother, Hester Louise Hoffman, his brother, James Scott Reynolds, and his wife, Vicki Lynn Reynolds.  John's unwavering faith and dedication to God’s work will remain an inspiration to all who knew him.  May his memory bring comfort and peace to those who loved him.

There will be a celebration of life for John Reynolds at The Way International on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. (EST) in the Biblical Research Center (BRC).  Everyone is welcome to attend. 

Please anonymously RSVP here to assist us with our planning.  Feel free to leave any loving comments on the RSVP or on this post.

If you are unable to attend in person, a live stream of the celebration will be available. The live stream link is located here.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Way International in the following manners:

By clicking here and simply following the instructions, or by sending a check made payable to The Way International.  Write “in memory of John Reynolds” on the memo line.