Lawrence Dean Reynolds, second son of Neva (McCormick) Reynolds and Alvin Reynolds, was born June 28, 1926 in Smith Center, Kansas and passed away May 4, 2012 at the Phillips County Hospital in Phillipsburg, Kansas at the age of 85.

Lawrence grew up on the family farm in Claudell, Kansas and started working when he was seven years old doing farm chores.  He was a hard worker, hoeing weeds out of the corn, driving the truck & tractor, working on the corn sled, and helping cut ice out of the river to put in the icehouse for summer.

He rode a horse to attend school in Claudell beginning at age 4, where he was accelerated from 4 ^th to 6 ^th grade creating his early graduation at age 15 from Kensington High School in 1943.  After graduation he engaged in his own farming operation while also helping his Dad on the family farm.  Lawrence truly loved horses and taking care of cattle.

In 1947 Lawrence married Dorothy Jean Gaines and to this union six children were born:  Dale Wesley, Dean Alvin, DeAnn Kaye, Darla Jean, Debra Darlene and Darel Lee.

He spent many hours custom combining various crops across the Midwest and in Canada.  In the 1950's he also worked on the Kirwin and Glen Elder Dams.

In 1974 he caught his hand in the fan of a combine.  The accident slowed him down for awhile, but not for long.  Lawrence & Dorothy moved to Colorado in 1983 but returned in 1985 when Dorothy's mother became ill.  Lawrence went to work for Bob Ragsdale during that summer and then permanently for Ferguson's in the fall of 1985 until July, 2003.

At that time Dorothy and Lawrence moved to Mulberry, Kansas to live with daughter, Debra.  They returned to Kensington, Kansas in 2006.

In his retirement years, Lawrence enjoyed making woodworking projects.  He especially enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  The grandkids looked forward to spending time with Grandma & Grandpa during holidays and in the summer.  He will be deeply missed by all of his family and friends.

Preceding him in death were his wife, Dorothy; his parents, Neva & Alvin Reynolds; mother-in-law, Myrtle Gaines; his brothers, Wayne and Roger Lee; great-granddaughter, Jillian Epley; nephews, Paul Jackson and Paul Goracke; brother-in-law, Eugene Elder; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, John & Evelyn Goracke.

Left to mourn are his children:  Dale & Debbie Reynolds of Pueblo, CO; Dean Reynolds of Kensington, KS; DeAnn & Jon Epley of Fullerton, NE; Darla & Frank VanMatre of Cedar, KS; Debra Saia & Gary Snell of Mulberry, KS; and Darel & Janet Reynolds of Agra, KS; 14 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; 3 step grandchildren and 7 step great-grandchildren;; his sister, Doris Jackson of Cheyenne, WY; sister-in-law, Jane Elder of Wichita, KS; and several nieces & nephews.

Funeral services will be held Monday, May 7 at 2:00 p.m. in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel with Pastor Dave Hutson officiating. Burial will follow in the Kirwin Cemetery, Kirwin.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Phillips County Hospital.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 9:00 Saturday & noon to 9:00 Sunday at the funeral home