Kayo Duane Reynolds
courtesy photo
Kayo Reynolds
RONAN — Kayo Duane Reynolds passed away peacefully Nov. 15, 2015, surrounded by his wife, partner and best friend of 53 years, Myrna, four children and his footprints.
On June 12, 1939, was the start of an amazing man’s life. Karrel Duane Reynolds (Kayo) came into this world in a log cabin at 10,276 feet in a logging camp in Gould, Colorado, high in the Rocky Mountains, to Karrel Mack Reynolds and Gladys Irene Reynolds.
Kayo welcomed his sister Patsy on Jan. 9, 1941, in Bloomington Illinois, and later they moved back to Gould, Colorado, where they lived with their Grandma Crozier and Leland at the service station helping them run it and playing in Art Culliver’s lumber yard, building forts and eating green apples. Kayo worked for Art peeling logs for 25 cents a pole. Kayo grew up logging and hunting with his Uncle Ray and Uncle Nick in North Park. He entered the Navy at the age of 17 serving four years and was part of the team that retrieved the first astronauts returning back to earth.
Returning home he married, on Jan 21, 1962, that little girl he had embarrassed to death in seventh grade by pulling her chair to the back of the room with him after he was punished.
He welcomed his oldest Lil’ Kayo on Nov. 20 of that same year and that was the start of his footprints he so loved and gave his wisdom, values, guidance and friendship to.
In 1972 he packed up his wife and four kids, everything he owned with $30 dollars in his pocket in an old broken down Dodge car and Datsun pickup and headed for Alaska. Once he climbed over Ravalli hill into the Mission Valley he knew he was home and never left. He loved the mountains, hunting, fishing and enjoying it all with his family.
He opened “Kayo’s Fine Cabinets,” which was an understatement because they were more than fine. Due to illness he closed his cabinet shop in 1983 and adventured to Alaska to work. In 1992 he had an opportunity to open his dream job, Ronan Sales and Loan until failing health forced his retirement in 2013.
Dad was a lifelong gun enthusiast and craftsman, artist, photographer and intellectual. After his retirement dad spent his days with the love of his life, living to the fullest each and every day.
Talking and texting his children and grandchildren, enjoying teaching mom photography, going to the bison range, traveling to North Dakota, and just enjoying each other’s company in his shop, fixing up their house, turning old tools into new again and building guns for his family and friends.
Kayo was an adventurist, his family was his whole world and he never let us forget how much each and every one of us meant to him. Dad knew his footprints were the only things he would leave behind and he made sure we were raised with values, faith in God, honor and respect for all. He was very proud of all of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and had a special relationship with each one.
His legacy is carried on each and every day through his wife Myrna of Ronan; and his footprints: Kayo and Yvette Reynolds; Vicky and Jim Roberts; Karey and Darla Reynolds; Korie and Matt Carmer; Brittany, Justin, Brenden, Carson and Alyson Jaccaud of Honolulu Hawaii; Ryan Lane and Samantha Arcand of Missoula; Cole, Hannah, Ryder, Brynnlee Reynolds of Three Forks; Klint, Jose Cinch, Stetson, Rosyn Reynolds of Townsend; Rocky, Cierra, Rhory, Chloey of Charlo; Austin Reynolds of Ronan; Koda Boldt, Kadon Boldt, and Kolton Carmer of Meridian, Idaho.
“Ride Tall, Shoot Straight and Always Speak the Truth.”
A Celebration of Life with full military honors has been held. Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at: www.thelakefuneralhomeandcrematory.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.
