Donald Dale Reynolds' Obituary
Donald Reynolds Obituary
Donald Dale Reynolds, 89, of Kailua, Hawaii died on December 27, 2024. He was born on December 21, 1935 in Mason City, Iowa.
Don Reynolds lived a full and blessed life, surrounded by an abundance of family and cherished friendships.
As a young man fresh out of high school, Don joined the U.S. Army, where he worked for the Army’s overseas security agency as a Morse code interceptor. While stationed in Okinawa, Don met and fell madly in love with Hayako Ryushi of Amami Oshima, the woman who would become the light and purpose of his life. Eventually he was able to marry Hayako and bring her to Minneapolis, where they established a family and a home.
A short story of his long-distance love affair can be found in a book written by Rev. Andrew N. Otani called Hope Shines in the White Cloud (An Issei’s Story).
He worked at the USPS while attending college at the University of Minnesota and raising his three children with his wife.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology and early childhood development from the University of Minnesota, Don moved his young family to Oahu in October 1965, where the island’s tropical climate and racial diversity provided a welcoming and familiar environment for Hayako and their growing family.
His first job on the island was as an educator for special needs children at Ewa Elementary School, teaching grades 4-6. The family lived in the teachers’ cottages and Don quickly became a significant member of this rural community.
Shortly after, Don began working at Fort Shafter, where, after many years, he retired as a Supervisory Computer Specialist for the U.S. Army Computer Systems Command Support. During the Vietnam War, his team provided crucial support for U.S. troops.
In 1969, Don and Hayako welcomed their fourth child, their third daughter.
The family also lived briefly in Palolo and Pearl City, before eventually settling down in Mililani Town. Don brought his family to St. Stephen’s Church in Wahiawa where he first joined the choir because he loved to sing and, in later years, became the Senior Warden - supporting the parish’s first female priest.
From 1983 to1985 Don took on a part-time job as a lecturer in Computer Information Systems for students at Hawaii Pacific College.
He also started his own business, Le Info-Center, where he helped many Oahu businesses with their computer systems. He truly enjoyed this work and was able to continue helping local businesses with his knowledge up until his passing.
After retiring from his civil service job, Don returned to an old pastime - real estate. Before his Army enlistment he had worked alongside his father in Minneapolis as a realtor, and once again he sold homes, this time with Kumai Realty, for a few years.
A few years later in 1997, Don’s beloved wife, Hayako, died. He will be laid to rest at her side on April 3, 2025.
In 2005, Don married Patricia Leo and moved to Kailua. Patricia’s companionship gave him great comfort for 19.5 years. Together, they served many Episcopalian churches in Oahu as he supported her in her role as an ordained deacon. Don also continued to pursue his love of teaching by leading Bible studies and writing church newsletters.
Don was also preceded in death by his parents, Paul Reynolds and Helen Berrier Somers; his brothers, Bobby Reynolds and Charles Reynolds; his sister, Sherry Domino; and his granddaughter, Jaime Senones.
He is survived by his second wife, Patricia Reynolds, his sister, Bonnie Mortensen; his son, David Reynolds; his daughters, Arlene Darty Tabion, Suzanne Reynolds, and Marlena Bartolome; nine grandchildren—Christina Senones, Kimberley Darty, Casey Higgason, Ryan Higgason, Dustin King, Jasmine Bartall, David Bartolome, Ava Bartolome, and Marilyn Bartolome; one step-grandson Robert Darty; eleven great-grandchildren—Stanley Hogan, Taevon Hogan, Tatianna Hogan, Brianna Hogan, Silas Senones Waller, Jalen Senones, Alvino Senones Porter, Isaiah Albritton, Arianna Darty-Ingram, Alva Bartall, and Hiro Bartall; and one great-great-granddaughter, Ariana Jaime Fober-Albritton, along with many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 3, 2025 at Mililani Memorial Park & Mortuary, Makai Chapel. The service begins at 11:00 am with burial to follow at 12:30 pm.
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