Jim Lee Reynolds, 69, of Lakeside, Arizona, was called home to His kingdom suddenly Tuesday morning, October 6, 2026, in the company of his loving wife, Karen.
Jim was born June 1, 1957 in Washington, Pennsylvania, the eldest son to Raymond L. And Ruth L. (Fordyce) Reynolds. His parents moved the family to Phoenix in summer of 1963.
A high school member of the Explorers, Jim graduated from Cortez High School, class of 1975, and would go on to proudly serve his country in the United States Army as an MP, being stationed for a time in Korea, before he would fulfill his lifetime dream of being accepted into the police academy through the city of Glendale.
In February of 1980, he married the love of his life, Karen Allen of Phoenix, Arizona. Throughout his thirty year career with the police department, he served his community proudly- a member of the TOU SWAT team as a sniper, DRE expert and educator, field sobriety expert, and motor officer, where he found his calling. After retiring from the Glendale Police Department in 2008, he went on to enjoy a second career as a school bus driver and trainer for PUSD.
In his time off, Jim enjoyed camping, his German Shepards, Chevy and Willa, Disneyland, snow skiing, riding his Harley, and his and Karen's beautiful retirement home in the pines of Lakeside, Arizona.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 46 years, Karen, daughters Tiffany (James Verbic), Michelle (Tanner Bowman), and Kellie (Ryan Conway). He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, Channing, Hayley Ray (Hailey Battipaglia), Sloane (Julius Bond), Ryder, Jordan, Breccon, Grayson, Lelia, Matilda, and Kinley. He is also survived by his younger sister, Debbie (brother-in-law Phil Shoemaker), and nephew Jeremy.
Jim was also a two-time living donor kidney recipient, first in 2014 through the courageous and selfless donation from his youngest daughter, Kellie, and in 2017 again through another heroic sacrifice from his middle daughter, Michelle. Jim came to know the Lord and accepted Jesus into his heart, with gratitude for the extra years God blessed him with through Kellie and Michelle's donations.
A memorial honoring the life and service of Jim will be held at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona (2929 E Pinnacle Peak Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85024) on Tuesday, October 27th at 10:00 AM, with a reception to follow at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9400 (804 E Purdue Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85020) at 11:00 AM. Please attend in your favorite Harley Davidson t-shirt. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his memory to The National Kidney Foundation at azkidney.org