John Boutelle Reynolds

John Boutelle Reynolds was born in Greenville, Michigan, on June 20, 1949, to John and Jeanne Reynolds. He grew up in Mt. Clemens, where he attended Mt. Clemens High School before moving to Sarasota, Florida, in 1967 and graduating from Riverview High School. John went on to earn his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Cinematography and Videography from the University of South Florida. A lifelong visual artist at heart, he also found great joy in still photography—especially capturing the beauty of Michigan in the fall, his favorite season to photograph. John later served as a bridge tender and operator throughout Sarasota County, a role he dedicated himself to for many years until his retirement in 2011. As a child, John was an avid soap box racer and won frequently. Throughout his life, he continued to seek out hobbies that challenged and entertained him. He enjoyed tackling his own home repairs, always eager to learn something new. John loved classic cars, music, movies, and television shows, and he had a deep affection for all things Sci-Fi. Known for his quirky sense of humor, he loved to be silly and bring laughter to those around him. The youngest of five children, John is preceded in death by his sisters Bonnie Mooney and Betty Valentine, and his brother Edwin. He is survived by his sister Connie Beard of Fenton, Michigan, as well as several nieces and nephews. He will be dearly missed. A gathering and sharing of memories was held on Tuesday, February 10th, from 5–7 p.m. at Toale Brothers Funeral Home, located at 40 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota, FL 34236. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to your local animal shelter in John’s memory.  Burial will take place in the spring at Forest Home Cemetery, Greenville, Michigan. Local arrangements are by the Marshall Funeral Home, Greenville, with complete obituary online at www.marshallfuneralhomeinc.com where you can leave a message of condolence for the family.