Major Donald Worthington Reynolds, A Soldier's Story
Major Donald Worthington Reynolds, A Soldier's Story
Donald Worthington Reynolds was born on September 23, 1906, in Fort Worth, Texas. While still young, he moved with his family to Oklahoma City, where his early years were shaped by hard work and determination. As a boy, Reynolds sold newspapers at the local rail station and spent summers working in a meatpacking plant, earning money to support his education.
He attended the University of Missouri, graduating from the School of Journalism in 1927. While there, he was a member of the Phi Kappa Alpha fraternity and developed the professional discipline that would guide his life’s work. After college, Reynolds worked as a journalist in Fort Smith, Arkansas, building experience in reporting and publishing before the outbreak of World War II.
In March 1942, Reynolds enlisted in the United States Army in response to the global conflict. He was initially assigned to military intelligence and later appointed officer in charge of the weekly Army newspaper Yank, a publication that informed and connected American soldiers serving overseas. His work combined military service with journalism, ensuring accurate communication and morale during wartime.
Following the end of World War II, Reynolds returned to civilian life in February 1945 and settled in Oklahoma City once again. There, he founded what would become the Donrey Media Group, focusing on small-city newspapers, cable systems, and television stations across the Southern Plains states. His approach emphasized local journalism and community engagement at a time when regional media was rapidly evolving.
In 1954, Reynolds established the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, extending his commitment to public service beyond journalism. Through philanthropy, he supported education, journalism programs, public spaces, and civic institutions, leaving a lasting national legacy grounded in access to information and opportunity.
Major Donald Worthington Reynolds died on April 2, 1993, while on a cruise in the Mediterranean Sea. He is buried at Bunkers Eden Vale Memorial Park in Las Vegas, Nevada.
His life reflects service in multiple forms, from military duty during wartime to civic investment in peace, and stands as a reminder that the defense of a nation also includes informing its people and strengthening its communities.
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About the Author
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller traveling through life
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