James Reynolds

In his final weeks, Jim lovingly hand-wrote his own obituary which follows (with minor edits). I was born to George & Loretta (Dugan) Reynolds on Aug 22, 1935 in Rapid City, SD. My older brother Tom and younger sister Mary Jo were also born in Rapid City. Dad opened Valley Motor Supply & Auto Part store in Rapid City before moving to Red Lodge, MT where he opened another store near Billings. I was five then and Billings soon became our hometown. I attended Fratt Memorial grade school in Billings graduating in 1949. I then attended 4 years at Billings Central graduating in 1953 and then attended Carrol College starting in pre-med but changed majors and joined the seminary. I graduated in 1957 then attended St Edwards / Thomas Seminary in Kenmore, WA, graduating from and being ordained a priest on May 20, 1961. I later was in Holy Rosary Church in Billings, MT. As a priest, I was assigned to Sacred Heart Parish, a 12 year school in 1961-64 as the Superintendent of Schools as well as teaching General Science, Biology, Speech, Sr Religion, plus full time duties in the parish and mission at Jordan, MT. I was Chaplain for a radar base west of Miles City, MT. I was assigned to Great Falls in 1964-67 as assistant to St Ann's Cathedral teaching at the college of Great Falls Central. I also taught Medical Ethics to nurses in training in Great Falls. I spent 1967-68 at St Patrick's in Billings covering the missions at Hysham, Custer and Pompeys Pillar and teaching at Billings Central. In 1969 I was reassigned to Sacred Heart Parish in Miles City with duties in the parish, missions and Sacred Heart Schools. In 1974 I was assigned to Immaculate Conception Parish in Wolf Point until 1982 when I was given a sabbatical year which was spent at Berkeley, CA at the Graduate Theological Union. In 1983 I was assigned to Holy Rosary Parish in Billings until 1985 when I attended a theology program for six months at Jemez Springs near Albuquerque, NM. While at this program I decided to leave the ministry and the priesthood. I then opened a counseling office with Tom Ferro in March of 1986, and Michelle Pittack joined our practice in 1989. Both of them have become family in many ways and have been extraordinarily good and generous to me. I believe God is love, we are created in his image and likeness. Therefore, we are of LOVE. This has been my attempt all my life as a friend, priest, counselor, husband and step-dad. I have received back from all people more than I could have ever given. This is what I would love to be remembered for – LOVING OTHERS. This joy also found its way as I worked for Cursillos (Cum Christos) and Search. I made my weekend in 1964, helped with the first one in Great Falls diocese in 1965 and many more since. I also helped direct nearly 45 Searches, such prayerful, life changing and love filled weekends, each one. The apex of my life was marrying Pat on September 19, 1992, gaining a beautiful, inspiring, devoted and loving helpmate and three step children, Rob, Blaine and Rachel. We have seven grandkids, Meghan and Ciara (Rob), Claire and Aidan (Blaine), Landon, Izaak and Beau (Rachel). I am also survived by my brother Tom and his wife Bobbie and their six kids and many grandchildren; brother, Mike and Rosie and their seven kids and thirteen grandkids. I lost my sister, Mary Jo, who had three sons and three step-sons. I also leave my “adopted” son and daughter, Tom Ferro (Martha), Michelle Pittack (Ben) and granddaughter Ali; and “adopted” son and daughter John and Paula Lambrecht.