Lloyd Samuel Reynolds, Jr.

Lloyd Samuel Reynolds, Jr., 76, of Altamonte Springs, weighed his anchor and sailed over the horizon, out of our sight and into calmer waters in the morning hours of February 18, 2022. Affectionately known as “Bo” to many and as “Dad” to three of us. Dad married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Bonnie. Together they had three children: Lloyd, Rebecca, and Jason. Earlier in life, he was active in the church his father-in-law pastored. For over 30 years, Dad was an Engineer for the City of Orlando and while the City kept him busy, he always found time to spend with his family. After retirement, Dad enjoyed spending his time being near the water fishing and exploring coastlines and coves hoping to find the next best fishing hole. Although he faced many challenges in his lifetime, his spirit remained strong, and his love of family never wavered. Dad always found pleasure in the simplest matters of life. Like watching the sun rise up over the ocean at Turtle Mound or the sun set into the gulf at Sanibel. A born naturalist, he loved being in nature and all creatures great and small. He loved reading National Geographic and watching any nature show on TV. He could amazingly remember nearly everything he read, saw or heard somewhere. Like how to find and call out to a Great Horned Owl hidden in the trees, the feeding habits of snook or that raccoons loved marshmallows. A quality of his character that will never be forgotten, and continues to run strong within his children and grandchildren who will strive to honor his legacy by living every day as if it were their last. Dad possessed a deep love of nature, although many could argue that nature seemed to possess him. He was an avid conservationist and a member of the National Audubon Society. Raptures and coastal birds being among some of his favorites but always enjoyed listening to the songbirds welcome the day with his morning coffee. He could easily identify every call or song he heard and mimic many like the whippoorwill or red-tailed hawk. His appreciation and wonderment of the beauty in nature was contagious and instantly inspiring for anyone honored to be in his presence, if only for mere minutes. He was notoriously bringing home injured critters he came across whilst outdoors surveying the lands of wooded areas. Flying squirrels, tiny Screech-owls and box Turtles made up only a small portion of some of his rescues. Overflowing with outlandish stories, Dad was a mesmerizing storyteller able to reach listeners young and old. Many of his tales seemed unbelievable but proved true for he had a way of attracting the extraordinary and inexplicable. Dad’s love of conversation, combined with a surprising amount of knowledge on an infinite range of topics, never failed to make any occasion an entertaining one. Rarely did he not have something to talk about, a curious fact to share or a unique opinion to express. Everyone knew that once his net was cast, once you were captured in his conversation, that was it. He would have you by the ear for at least an hour or two and yet, you never felt the need to be anywhere else. Those of us fortunate enough to have known Dad can effortlessly recall his gift of gab and easily recognize it in his children and grandchildren and their lingering “Reynolds’ goodbyes.” A natural prankster and possessor of quick wit, Dad loved to make those around him laugh either with a funny pun or proverb, a Porky Pig or Donald Duck impression, or by leaving a small snake in your pocket for you to find. (Sorry, Mom.) No, life was never dull around Dad and is already too quiet without him. There is no doubt he will continue to inspire us and make us laugh as we remember the multitude of fantastical tales and experiences of which he blessed and filled our lives. Dad, you are eternally loved and will forever be missed. Services are pending at this time.

Lloyd Samuel Reynolds, Jr.

August 4, 1945 - February 18, 2022