Father Bede Reynolds, a pioneering Southern California oilman who gave up his wealth to join the Priesthood and teach, died at Westminster Abbey, British Columbia, after a long illness, in December 1989, aged 97.
Father Reynolds, formerly Kenyon L. Reynolds of Pasadena, built one of the first gasoline cracking plants in California in the early 1900's as general manager of Los Angeles based Pacific Gasoline Co., which later was bought by Standard Oil Co. Originally, he started working as mining assayer's helper at $2 pen ten-hour day, in 1909. By 1926, he was a millionaire.
A Protestant, heavily prejudiced against the Catholic Church, he fell in love with a Catholic girl and married her. Later he was received into the Catholic Church, with his wife, playing a major role in his conversion.
He retired early and comfortably, but returned to the oil business to serve as the U.S. Government's West Coast petroleum coordinator during the Second World War.
After his wife, Patricia, died in 1945, he donated much of his wealth to the Roman Catholic Church and entered the Benedictine Order.
After his ordination in 1951, Father Reynolds taught theology and English at Westminster Abbey, East of Vancouver. He also wrote several books, including his autobiography, "Rebel from Riches."
Reynolds was the youngest of seven children. He had no children of is own and no immediate family members survive him. Funeral services were held at the Abbey.
Father Reynolds, formerly Kenyon L. Reynolds of Pasadena, built one of the first gasoline cracking plants in California in the early 1900's as general manager of Los Angeles based Pacific Gasoline Co., which later was bought by Standard Oil Co. Originally, he started working as mining assayer's helper at $2 pen ten-hour day, in 1909. By 1926, he was a millionaire.
A Protestant, heavily prejudiced against the Catholic Church, he fell in love with a Catholic girl and married her. Later he was received into the Catholic Church, with his wife, playing a major role in his conversion.
He retired early and comfortably, but returned to the oil business to serve as the U.S. Government's West Coast petroleum coordinator during the Second World War.
After his wife, Patricia, died in 1945, he donated much of his wealth to the Roman Catholic Church and entered the Benedictine Order.
After his ordination in 1951, Father Reynolds taught theology and English at Westminster Abbey, East of Vancouver. He also wrote several books, including his autobiography, "Rebel from Riches."
Reynolds was the youngest of seven children. He had no children of is own and no immediate family members survive him. Funeral services were held at the Abbey.
Father Bede Reynolds, a pioneering Southern California oilman who gave up his wealth to join the Priesthood and teach, died at Westminster Abbey, British Columbia, after a long illness, in December 1989, aged 97.
Father Reynolds, formerly Kenyon L. Reynolds of Pasadena, built one of the first gasoline cracking plants in California in the early 1900's as general manager of Los Angeles based Pacific Gasoline Co., which later was bought by Standard Oil Co. Originally, he started working as mining assayer's helper at $2 pen ten-hour day, in 1909. By 1926, he was a millionaire.
A Protestant, heavily prejudiced against the Catholic Church, he fell in love with a Catholic girl and married her. Later he was received into the Catholic Church, with his wife, playing a major role in his conversion.
He retired early and comfortably, but returned to the oil business to serve as the U.S. Government's West Coast petroleum coordinator during the Second World War.
After his wife, Patricia, died in 1945, he donated much of his wealth to the Roman Catholic Church and entered the Benedictine Order.
After his ordination in 1951, Father Reynolds taught theology and English at Westminster Abbey, East of Vancouver. He also wrote several books, including his autobiography, "Rebel from Riches."
Reynolds was the youngest of seven children. He had no children of is own and no immediate family members survive him. Funeral services were held at the Abbey.
Father Reynolds, formerly Kenyon L. Reynolds of Pasadena, built one of the first gasoline cracking plants in California in the early 1900's as general manager of Los Angeles based Pacific Gasoline Co., which later was bought by Standard Oil Co. Originally, he started working as mining assayer's helper at $2 pen ten-hour day, in 1909. By 1926, he was a millionaire.
A Protestant, heavily prejudiced against the Catholic Church, he fell in love with a Catholic girl and married her. Later he was received into the Catholic Church, with his wife, playing a major role in his conversion.
He retired early and comfortably, but returned to the oil business to serve as the U.S. Government's West Coast petroleum coordinator during the Second World War.
After his wife, Patricia, died in 1945, he donated much of his wealth to the Roman Catholic Church and entered the Benedictine Order.
After his ordination in 1951, Father Reynolds taught theology and English at Westminster Abbey, East of Vancouver. He also wrote several books, including his autobiography, "Rebel from Riches."
Reynolds was the youngest of seven children. He had no children of is own and no immediate family members survive him. Funeral services were held at the Abbey.
Family Members
Parents
Spouse
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Records on Ancestry
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
