Obituary of Charles Wesley Reynolds, M.D.

Dr. Charles Wesley Reynolds, “Wes”, passed away on May 30, 2017 at the age of 92 years.

Dr. Wes Reynolds, eldest son of William and Mabel Reynolds, grew up on a farm outside of Beresford, South Dakota, where he attended a one-room schoolhouse though the eighth grade. After graduation from Augustine College, he matriculated into medical school, first at the University at South Dakota (two years), finishing at Temple University (Lewis Katz) School of Medicine in 1953. He completed internal medicine residency at Akron City (Summa) Hospital, with one year as chief resident, served in the U.S. Navy, and then finished with fellowship training in endocrinology at the Cleveland Clinic.

Dr. Wes Reynolds was the first endocrinologist in Akron where he practiced and volunteered for over 60 years. He served as Chief of the Medical staff at Akron City (Summa) Hospital and held an academic appointment as Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at
Northeastern Ohio University College of Medicine. He was beloved as a physician and teacher of medical students, residents and nurse practitioners as a member of the volunteer faculty at NEOUCOM and the University of Akron.

After retiring from full-time clinical practice in 1996, Dr. Wes Reynolds volunteered at the Open M Free Clinic, Salvation Army and overseas mission trips until the age of 90. He was honored with the St. Luke Award for his years of service in the Akron area.

Dr. Wes Reynolds cherished his family, loved his church, worshipped and served His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ faithfully as a member of The Chapel in Akron, developing deep relationships and service to those in his Sojourners Adult Bible Fellowship class.

His death was preceded by both of his parents and his brother, Glen. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Joyce Carol Reynolds, his three daughters, Pamela Preston Reynolds, Jill Diane (Reynolds) Leemis, Gretchen Ann (Reynolds) Spears, his five grandchildren, Lindsey Leemis, Mark Leemis, Logan Leemis, Grant Spears and Elisabeth (Elisa) Spears, as well as his two sons-in-law, Larry Leemis and Scott Spears, his sisters-in-law, Lucille Reynolds and Joan Alkyer, brother-in-law, Myron Frame and his wife Robin, and many nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be held at Redmon Funeral Home, located at 3633 Darrow Road, Stow, Ohio, Thursday, June 8 from 5-8 PM. Memorial service will be held at The Chapel in Akron in the Memorial Chapel, 135 Fir Hill, Akron, Ohio on Friday, June 9 at 11 AM with calling
hours from 10-11 AM preceding the memorial service. His open burial will be at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery at 2:30 PM on Friday, June 9.

Donations can be made online to The Chapel in Akron (thechapel.life) or Open M Free Clinic (openm.org)