Father James Reynolds

Funeral Mass for Father James L. Reynolds, 63, West Plains, Mo., a priest of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, will be at 11 a.m. Monday, June 9, 2008, at St. Mary's Catholic Church West Plains, Mo. under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Father Reynolds died 12:12 p.m., Tuesday, June 3, 2008, at his home of complications from cancer. He was born April 11, 1945, in Vicksburg, Miss., to Katie Lucille Rogers Reynolds. Father Reynolds attended St. Aloysius High School in Vicksburg, Mississippi, graduating in May 1963. He graduated from Mississippi State University in 1966 with a B.S. degree in mathematics and in 1967 with a M.S. degree in mathematics, and from the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio, in April 1971.

Father Reynolds was ordained to the priesthood April 3, 1971, for the Diocese of Natchez-Jackson, Miss., by Archbishop Luigi Raimondi, Apostolic Delegate to the United States. Father Reynolds graduated from Memphis State University in May 1974 with a M.S. degree in computer science. He was incardinated into the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau Nov. 21,1977.

Father Reynolds served as associate pastor at two parishes in Mississippi before coming to the Springfield-Cape Girardeau Diocese. He served as chaplain at St. John's Hospital in Springfield and as chaplain, teacher and principal at Springfield Catholic High School. He served as moderator of DCCW Region II and Family Life Director for Region VII. Father Reynolds also served in many parishes, including Sacred Heart in Verona, Sacred Heart in Willow Springs, St. Joseph in White Church, St. Denis in Benton, St. Lawrence in New Hamburg, St. Eustachius in Portageville, St. Ambrose in Chaffee, St. Susanne in Mt. Vernon, St. Patrick in Greenfield, St. Henry in Charleston, St. Joseph in Billings, St. Cecilia in Kennett and St. Mary in Lamar. He has served as pastor at St. Mary's in West Plains and Sacred Heart in Thayer since August 2004.

His mother and stepfather, William Thompson, precede him in death. He will be remembered by many friends, whom he made, across the Diocese where he has served; as well as his canine companion sheltie, Alick.

Father Reynolds will lie in state beginning at 5 p.m. Sunday, June 8, with Prayer Services starting at 7 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, West Plains. Commital services will be at 4 p.m. Monday in the Resurrection Cemetery Springfield, Mo.under the care of Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home. Online condolences can be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.