Obituary of Grover Stephen Reynolds

Grover Stephen Reynolds, 80, passed away on December 19, 2023, in Fairfax County, Virginia, where he spent most of his life helping others, teaching people, raising a family and leading by example of how to live and love others. Steve is survived by the love of his life, Pam Jones, spending 48 memorable years together. He is also survived by his sons Scott Reynolds (Ashley) and Jeffrey Jones (Patti), and was adored by his grandchildren Rachel and Ethan Jones, Ellie and Logan Reynolds and Caden Hart and Jillian Moore.  

A son of the late Grover Vernon Reynolds and Hilda Vaughan Reynolds, Steve is also survived by older brother Charles Vernon Reynolds (Judy), younger sister Virginia Lynn Stigers, and younger brother Michael L. Reynolds (Sandy).  

Steve was born in Roanoke, Virginia, on October 21, 1943, and three years later moved with his family to Falls Church, Virginia. After graduating from Falls Church High School in 1961, he attended Virginia Tech and graduated in 1965 with his Bachelor’s degree. Steve continued his education at American University earning two Master’s degrees in 1971.  

Steve began his 33 year career in education in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) as a teacher at Thomas Jefferson High School in 1965 before becoming Assistant Principal from 1969 to 1971. He left FCPS to start Aquarius Pools where he owned a pool construction company for four years in the early 1970s. Steve also spent summers serving the youth in Falls Church by managing community pools for the Sleepy Hollow Recreation Association. 

Steve missed teaching and students so he returned to education and became a WECEP (Work Experience and Career Exploration Program) teacher at Whittier Intermediate School in 1974 before becoming Assistant Principal in 1975. He returned to the classroom in 1983 as a WECEP teacher at Annandale High School where he helped at-risk students earn their diplomas and learn how to attain and keep jobs. Helping students was Steve’s occupational passion and he was an exceptional teacher. Steve also sought to help adjudicated students in Fairfax County by way of law enforcement as a probation officer for many years.  

After retiring from his career in education in 1998, Steve continued to teach and help others as a volunteer with the Kairos Prison Ministry for 15 years. As a leader on the Kairos team at the Greensville Correctional Center, Steve helped turn the lives of many incarcerated men around and towards a life with Jesus Christ. Steve’s belief in God and love of Christ grew over his lifetime, first as a member of National Gardens Baptist Church growing up in his youth, and later at Annandale United Methodist Church where he and Pam devoted countless hours to support the congregation, to teach Sunday school and serve on committees. 

An avid hunter and fisherman, Steve loved traveling with Pam to their weekend home in the Shenandoah Mountains of Fort Valley, Virginia, and spent summers with family in the Outer Banks, North Carolina. A proud NRA member, he was known as “Shenandoah Steve” in his mountain shooting club. Steve also loved watching Washington Nationals baseball and Washington Commanders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers football.  

Steve endured 42 surgeries throughout his life without complaining, feeling sorry for himself or giving up.  He trusted and believed adamantly in God’s plan for his life until the day he died. Steve always had a smile on his face and enjoyed making others laugh with his jokes. He found joy in helping others, as it was his God-ordained purpose in life. When asked how he was doing, Steve would typically reply, “I’m blessed.”  

In fact, it was his family and friends that were blessed to know Steve Reynolds. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Annandale United Methodist Church, 6935 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003. Arrangements are under the direction of Advent Funeral and Cremation Services, Falls Church, VA.