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Kenneth Ray “Rusty” Reynolds

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Kenneth Ray “Rusty” Reynolds

Birth
Pittsburg, Camp County, Texas, USA
Death
19 Mar 2012 (aged 78)
Brazos County, Texas, USA
Burial
Ebenezer, Camp County, Texas, USA Add to Map
Memorial ID
View Source
Grandson Ryan Thomas Reynolds Findagrave 81998945

BRYAN — Kenneth "Rusty" Reynolds, 78, of College Station, went to be with his Lord on Monday, March 19, 2012. Services will be 3 p.m. Sunday, March 25, 2012, at Christ United Methodist Church, with Jeff Paine and Bill Biggs officiating. A graveside service will be 1 p.m. Monday, March 26, 2012, at Ebenezer Cemetery in Pittsburg, Texas.
Rusty was born in Pittsburg, Texas, on Christmas Eve 1933. He was raised by loving parents on a farm. In high school, he became a state officer for the FFA. It was through the FFA that he discovered his love for radio while doing on-air reports at KIMP in Mount Pleasant. Soon, he managed to talk his way into a full-time, on-air position at the station. This job began a lifetime of opportunities to meet many interesting and famous people. In Mount Pleasant, he once handed a check for $50 to a young Elvis Presley for a performance.
Rusty went to Texas A&M University in 1951, where he worked at the campus radio station and was a member of the Corps of Cadets. He left A&M in 1953, but never lost his Aggie pride and his love for the maroon and white. Forty-two years later, he went back to school at A&M and graduated in 1996 at the age of 63! As an avid supporter of TAMU and TAMU sports, he became an endowed donor in 1982.
Rusty spent a good part of the '50s and '60s behind a microphone with stops in Tyler, Shreveport, Louisville and Dallas-Fort Worth. He later worked in sales and eventually became the general manager of KCWM in Fort Worth as a pioneer FM country music station.
In 1974, Reynolds formed a partnership that would redefine radio in Texas. KYKX 105 in Longview was born and became the number one station in East Texas. His innovative ideas led to the first man-woman talk show named, "The Larry and Lou Show," as well as to the largest bass fishing championship in the world. In 1984, they awarded $105,000 for 1st prize.
In addition to the Longview station, Rusty and his partner put six additional stations on the air in Abilene, Lufkin, Victoria, Lake Charles and Jackson. In 1989, Rusty's dream of creating a radio station in Aggieland became a reality when he put Aggie 96 on the air. He then partnered with his son, Ken, to form Reynolds Radio and launched stations in Tyler/Longview.
Rusty was actively involved in the Texas Association of Broadcasters and served on its board of directors on multiple occasions. He was inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame in 2003 and in 2008 received the prestigious honor of being named "Pioneer Broadcaster of the Year." His ideas and innovations helped changed the direction of the broadcasting industry and influenced a whole new generation of broadcasters.
Rusty made B/CS his permanent home in 1998. He always had a passion for the game of golf and was a member of Pebble Creek Country Club. He also enjoyed participating in numerous golf tournaments benefiting various causes. He was a member of the A&M United Methodist Church and leaves a legacy of a family who loves and respects him.
He is survived by his son, Ken, and daughter-in-law, Kimberly Reynolds, of College Station; and four grandchildren, Joel, Reagan, Joshua and Jordan.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Kimberly Kay Reynolds; and a grandson, Ryan Thomas Reynolds.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association in Rusty's name.
Published in Longview News-Journal on March 24, 2012
Grandson Ryan Thomas Reynolds Findagrave 81998945

BRYAN — Kenneth "Rusty" Reynolds, 78, of College Station, went to be with his Lord on Monday, March 19, 2012. Services will be 3 p.m. Sunday, March 25, 2012, at Christ United Methodist Church, with Jeff Paine and Bill Biggs officiating. A graveside service will be 1 p.m. Monday, March 26, 2012, at Ebenezer Cemetery in Pittsburg, Texas.
Rusty was born in Pittsburg, Texas, on Christmas Eve 1933. He was raised by loving parents on a farm. In high school, he became a state officer for the FFA. It was through the FFA that he discovered his love for radio while doing on-air reports at KIMP in Mount Pleasant. Soon, he managed to talk his way into a full-time, on-air position at the station. This job began a lifetime of opportunities to meet many interesting and famous people. In Mount Pleasant, he once handed a check for $50 to a young Elvis Presley for a performance.
Rusty went to Texas A&M University in 1951, where he worked at the campus radio station and was a member of the Corps of Cadets. He left A&M in 1953, but never lost his Aggie pride and his love for the maroon and white. Forty-two years later, he went back to school at A&M and graduated in 1996 at the age of 63! As an avid supporter of TAMU and TAMU sports, he became an endowed donor in 1982.
Rusty spent a good part of the '50s and '60s behind a microphone with stops in Tyler, Shreveport, Louisville and Dallas-Fort Worth. He later worked in sales and eventually became the general manager of KCWM in Fort Worth as a pioneer FM country music station.
In 1974, Reynolds formed a partnership that would redefine radio in Texas. KYKX 105 in Longview was born and became the number one station in East Texas. His innovative ideas led to the first man-woman talk show named, "The Larry and Lou Show," as well as to the largest bass fishing championship in the world. In 1984, they awarded $105,000 for 1st prize.
In addition to the Longview station, Rusty and his partner put six additional stations on the air in Abilene, Lufkin, Victoria, Lake Charles and Jackson. In 1989, Rusty's dream of creating a radio station in Aggieland became a reality when he put Aggie 96 on the air. He then partnered with his son, Ken, to form Reynolds Radio and launched stations in Tyler/Longview.
Rusty was actively involved in the Texas Association of Broadcasters and served on its board of directors on multiple occasions. He was inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame in 2003 and in 2008 received the prestigious honor of being named "Pioneer Broadcaster of the Year." His ideas and innovations helped changed the direction of the broadcasting industry and influenced a whole new generation of broadcasters.
Rusty made B/CS his permanent home in 1998. He always had a passion for the game of golf and was a member of Pebble Creek Country Club. He also enjoyed participating in numerous golf tournaments benefiting various causes. He was a member of the A&M United Methodist Church and leaves a legacy of a family who loves and respects him.
He is survived by his son, Ken, and daughter-in-law, Kimberly Reynolds, of College Station; and four grandchildren, Joel, Reagan, Joshua and Jordan.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Kimberly Kay Reynolds; and a grandson, Ryan Thomas Reynolds.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association in Rusty's name.
Published in Longview News-Journal on March 24, 2012


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