Kenneth Leon Reynolds Celebration of Life

  • The Grand Rapids Times
  • September 3rd, 2021
Kenneth Leon Reynolds

Kenneth Leon Reynolds was born on an Air Force Base in Armarillo, Texas to on May 13th, 1966 to Bend and Barbara Reynolds. After his father was honorably discharged from the United States Air Force. Kenneth was 13 months old when the family returned to Michigan.

At the age of seven, Kenneth was baptized at New Hope Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. John V. Williams.

From that moment on, his love for worship began and was reflected in his involvement with the Cherub Choir. His strongest musical influences during this time were his beloved Aunt Alma Perry and devoted father Ben Reynolds.

In 1975, he made his first public appearance in the Grand Rapids Press when his drum solo won 1st place in the Delta Sigma Theta Jabberwock Community talent Contest.

Throughout Kenneth's school years, he participated in the Jazz, Symphonic and Marching Bands being 1st Chair percussion at Wyoming Park High School. He displayed his love for community through his induction into the National Honor Society and participation in the Wyoming Park High School Marching Band who won the Governor's Trophy Award for being the best in the state.

After graduating high school in 1984, Kenneth attended Western Michigan University, where he continued marching through life toward his future aspirations. Being a multifaceted musician, Kenneth played bass or drums for Western's Gospel Choir, the Eternal Life Kalamazoo Community Choir, and WMU Gold Company. In 1988, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a minor in Music.

In August of 1989, he met the co-writer of his life's song, Andrea Denis Weekley. He looked up and saw and bright light in the soprano section of the choir, the two went out for ice cream and the rest was history Two years later, the two were wed on August 31st, 1991 and welcomed the birth of their son Kenton Charles Renoelds on December 30th, 1996 and then again on July 8th, 2000 with the birth of Alyssa Denise Reynolds.

Ken spent over 10 years using his business degree working in the Sales Services Department at Steelcase, Inc. Kenneth began to cultivate his love for worship and leading others into the presence of the Lord. His love for music ministry encouraged his writing and directing for the James Family Singers, which consisted of his parents, siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins. The family traveled all over the Mid-West area, spreading the Gospel.

In 1994, he and his cousin Gerald Perry co-founded the gospel group His Image, which consisted of young men from various Christian denominations.

They recorded two albums and had a video played on BET's Video Gospel, signing with Inner Court Records.

Ken accepted the Call into part-time ministry at Madison Square CRC, where he was Worship Leader and in 2001, entered into full-time ministry, joining ResLife Church as Worship Pastor. For the last 20 years, Ken had the honor of serving the ministry in various leadership roles, the most recent being Operations Leadership Team and Worship Pastor. Pastor Ken has mentored musicians and new worship pastors and served the congregation fulfilling various pastoral duties. He also established relationships with record labels that resulted in recording contracts with Integrity and Dream/Capitol Records.

Pastor Ken is preceded in death by his grandparents, Oscar and Erma James, Sr. and Rev. Benjamin Reynolds, Sr.; great grandparents Frances Barbour and Charles and Mamie Weekley, Sr.; Aunt Alma and Uncle Robert Perry; Aunts Mary James and Willa James; and brother in Christ, Bryan Lowe.

He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife of almost 30 years, Andrea; son, Kenton Charles and daughter Alyssa Denis; parents, Ben and Barbara Reynolds and parents-in-love, Charles and Endia Weekley; Beverly Elaine Shannon and brother, Troy Durand Reynolds; nieces, Brooke and Camille Shannon, Tyana and Julia Reynolds and a host of other relatives and friends. Kenneth inspired me to be the best that I can be at everything. He also encouraged me whenever I faced some challenges to make sure that I did the right thing.

Growing up with Ken, I will always remember playing basketball, wrestling, weightlifting, playing with cars, spaceships, race tracks and riding bikes.

I will always cherish the wide range of musical tastes that Kenneth shared with me from R&B, to Gospel, Funk, Classical, Movie Orchestra soundtracks, drum corps and marching bands. Kenneth was an awesome big brother and showed me that I can thrive and be fulfilled in music ministry. Kenneth was a great example of how to lead a church music department with excellence.

Kenneth Leon Reynolds

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