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Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at 10:00 AM
First Baptist Church
Steven Kelsey Reynolds, 68, of Topeka, passed away Wednesday, May 16, 2012.
He was born December 25, 1943 in rural Wilson County, the son of Walter and Ruby Kelsey Reynolds. He graduated from Fredonia High School in 1961 and from Kansas State University in 1966. His military education includes Squadron Officers' School, Air Command and Staff College and National Security Management.
He received his commission from Air Force ROTC in February, 1966. He attended Undergraduate Pilot Training at Vance AFB, Oklahoma, and received his wings in May,1967. He attended Instructor Pilot School at Randolph AFB, Texas and then began instructing primary pilot trainees in the T-37 at Webb AFB, Texas from August 1967 to April 1971. He then attended the Air Ground Operations School at Hurlburt Field, Florida, checked out as a Forward Air Controller and departed for Southeast Asia. He served a year as a Forward Air Controller, and then reported back to Webb AFB as a T-38 Instructor Pilot and Flight Commander. He departed the USAF in 1974 and joined the Kansas Air National Guard. He was an Instructor Pilot in the 190th Defense Systems Evaluation Group's EB-57's until the 190th converted to KC-135's in 1978. He was an Instructor Pilot in the KC-135 from 1978 to 1989. He was the Deputy Commander for Maintenance from 1985-1989 and Chief of Staff, Headquarters, Kansas Air National Guard until retirement 31 December 1991. He was a Command Pilot with over 6,000 hours of flying time in military aircraft, having Instructor Pilot duty in T-37, 0-2A, T-38, B-57, KC-135 and C-131 aircraft.
His military awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters. Air Force Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Combat Readiness Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters. National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Air Force Training Ribbon, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Vietnam Campaign Medal and Kansas National Guard Service Medal.
Steve was a member of First Baptist Church in Topeka.
He married Carol York on September 4, 1965. She survives. Other survivors include son Steve (Katie) Reynolds of Paynesville, OH; grandson Charles Andrew Reynolds; sister, Loretta Price of Fredonia; brother, Stanley Reynolds of Garden City. An infant daughter preceded him in death in 1967.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Salvation Army, PO Box 599, Topeka 66601.
Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
