Harrold Blanzo Reynolds' Obituary
On August 20, 2023, the Lord called Harrold Blanzo (Hobo) Reynolds, 97, of Bellaire, Texas, to be reunited with his loved ones. He is preceded in death by his mother, Lily Mattie (Davis) Colburn; father, James E. Reynolds; stepfather, J.E. Colburn; sister, Barbara Lee Reynolds; and brother, Kenneth E. Reynolds.
Harrold is survived by his loving wife of almost 53 years, Jennie Mae (Powers) Reynolds; his children Kathy (Reynolds) Houlgrave (Bob), Linda (Beasley) Burrell (Larry), Jan Rayburn, Shannon Rayburn, Cynthia (Reynolds) Tobin (John).
Grandchildren Bryan Houlgrave (Sixto), Stephanie (Houlgrave) Vacek (Josh), Jennie (Burrell) Connery (Kelly), Ryan Burrell, Lindsey (Burrell) Alexander (Ronn), Megan (Burrell) Spiers (Kevin), Matthew Burns (Ashley), Amber (Rayburn) Roach (Andy), Harrold and Anna Tobin.
Great Grandchildren August and Andrew Vacek, Paige and Dane Connery, Hayes Alexander, Parker and Emma Spiers, Nora and June Burns, and Adin Roach.
Harrold was born at home in Houston, Texas, on February 11, 1926. He graduated from Milby High School and joined the U.S. Marine Corps on February 4, 1944, seven days before his 18th birthday.
We salute our beloved WWII Marine, who honorably served as an Advanced Air Warning Systems Specialist in the Asiatic Pacific Theater on the island of Kumejima, near Okinawa. He remained a proud patriot, participating in annual gatherings with his fellow Marines, and hosted a local event for his AWS-11 Squadron in Houston. As of today, his photo is displayed with his fellow WWII veterans as part of “The Greatest Generation” exhibit in the DeBakey Veterans Administration Center lobby.
Upon his return home from WWII, he spent time as a shrimper on the Gulf Coast, learning and honing his seaman skills. Loving the outdoors, he purchased a beautiful 17-foot mahogany SmithCraft in 1959 that brought him and his family many adventures. With family in tow, he spent years boating and teaching his family to ski and fish. He was a skilled boatman and water skier. This boat, named “Hobo’s Haven,” is still on the water today, being enjoyed by the next generation.
Harrold attended the University of Houston and went on to work in the Oil & Gas Industry. He advanced from machinist to programmer to manufacturing engineer, retiring after a successful 33-year career with WKM Valve Company.
He was known to spend his “down time” on a tractor mowing, cutting down trees, tending to cows, and anything ranch that gave him great pleasure. He was in his element when hunting, fishing, building deer stands, or repairing anything with moving parts.
A humble Christian and admirable legacy of our family who’s deeply loved and gone but never forgotten. Papa, we love you dearly, and if you were here, you would say, “I love you more!”
Harrold’s family wishes to thank the staff of the Houston VA Geriatrics Unit and Hospital for providing our Marine with excellent medical care and support for over three decades.
His memorial service will be held at South Park Funeral Home & Cemetery, 1310 N. Main Street in Pearland, Texas, on September 9. Visitation at 1:00, with service to follow at 2:00 and military burial at 3:00. Father Christopher Plant will officiate the service.
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