an accomplishment for a Baylor Bear). Even more impressive, three other
governors subsequently reappointed him to the Board. He served as a
Regent for an unprecedented sixteen years. In recognition of his contribution
to the University, a building on the Texas A&M College of Medicine
Campus was named the Joe H. Reynolds Medical Building. Joe also
organized the Board of Visitors at Texas Southern University in Houston
(HBCU) and served on its Board for ten years.
In 2010 the Texas State Committee of the College established the Joe H.
Reynolds Award. This is not an annual award but instead is reserved only
for rare occasions of exemplary merit. Criteria for the award mirrors the
career of Joe Reynolds – extraordinary achievement and demonstrated
excellence in trial advocacy and a positive impact on the community and
society which accomplishments have stood the test of time and reflect the
highest credit on the College. To date, only four Fellows have received this
honor. No other award has ever been established by the Texas Fellows to
honor one of their own.
Lawyers in Houston were well aware that Joe was a true American hero.
For many years a group of Houston lawyers would annually organize a
day trip to New Orleans to visit the World War II Museum. Joe and other
veterans often went on the trip. If Joe went, the Museum was always
alerted. To no one’s surprise the Museum staff treated the visit as if they
were in the presence of living history, which, of
course, they were.
Joe passed away on December 19, 2009, at the
age of eighty-eight. He was survived at that
time by Susie, his wife of sixty-one years (who
died in 2021), two sons, four grandchildren
and two great grandchildren.
Joe wrote a book entitled Touched by Grace –
The Story of Houston Attorney Joe H. Reynolds
which was published in 2010 about a year after
his death. The book has more details about
his war experience and is sometimes available
on Amazon.
Joe Reynolds answered the call of his country
not just once but twice. He served in what
were difficult, dangerous and history making
battles. If anyone should be considered a Hero
Among Us it is Joe Reynolds.
David N. Kitner
Dallas, TX
FALL 2022 JOURNAL 56