Elmer Wade “Punkin” Reynolds, 89, of Star City, Arkansas, passed away Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019, at Gardner Nursing Center in Star City. He was born April 9, 1930 in Center, son of the late Henry Clay (Joe) and Myrtie Idella Nowell Reynolds.
Mr. Reynolds grew up in Attala County, and in 1951 he joined the United States Air Force, serving in the Korean Conflict and Vietnam War. On Aug. 6, 1952, Elmer and Bobbie Ruth Carter were married in Kosciusko, and just celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary.
While in the Air Force, Elmer was stationed all over the world and the family moved every 12-18 months. Stateside, he was stationed in eight different states from one coast to the other. In 1971, Elmer retired from the Air Force. 
Afterwards, Elmer spent 10 years working at the Pine Bluff Arsenal and retired in 1993 with a total of 30 years of service to the United States government. Elmer was a 60-year member of the Silver Bay, Minnesota, Taconite Masonic Lodge. In 2006, Elmer was presented with the Cross of Military Service by the United Daughters of the Confederacy, William F. Slemons Chapter 977.
Elmer was a member of Hickory Grove Baptist Church and was very active in securing a rural fire station in the Garnett Community. Elmer enjoyed his family, especially his grands and great-grands. He also liked to fish and hunt.
Besides his parents, Elmer was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Amanda Ruth Riley; son-in-law, Clinton “Butch” Riley; brother and sister-in-law, Edwin and Eleanor Reynolds; brother-in-laws, James Draper and Carlton (Ham) Dickerson.
Survivors include his wife, Bobbie Ruth Carter Reynolds; daughter, Deborah Reynolds Riley; son, Wade (Lisa) Reynolds; grandsons, Clayton Riley, Jonathan (Stefanie) Riley, Carter (Kacee) Reynolds, Jered Arrowood and Hayden Barbaree; great-grandchildren, Logan Riley, Gracie Riley, Jon Wesley Riley, Jensen Reynolds, Britten Reynolds and Laci Arrowood; sisters, Mavis Draper of Oxford, and Marie Dickerson of West, and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services were Saturday, September 28, at Griffin Funeral Chapel with Bro. Bill Hilburn officiating. Burial at Holly Springs Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Billy McGehee, Tommy McGehee, Billy Jack Curry, Norman Nichols, Mike McMillen and Danny Prevatte. Honorary pallbearers were grandsons.
Memorials may be made to Hickory Grove Baptist Church, 581 Keepsake Rd., Star City, AR, 71667 or The Gideons International, PO Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214-0800.
Arrangements by Griffin Funeral Service in Star City.
Online guestbook at www.griffinfuneralservice.net.
