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Normal Reynolds
Normal Reynolds
On his second day on the job, then Lumberton Police Chief Norman Reynolds hired a 23-year-old police officer from the Kountze Police Department.
Now, years later, Danny Sullins, sits in the police chief's position and remembers his mentor, a longtime law enforcement officer who served in several local and area police departments.
Norman Preston Reynolds Sr., 88, of Beaumont, died on July 18 at Harbor Hospice, according to his obituary with Levingston Funeral Home.
“He hired me his second day on the job,” said Sullins. “I started two weeks later in October of 1989. He gave me my second job in law enforcement and my start here."
Sullins said he worked under Reynold for 18 years.
“He was my boss but he was also like a dad,” he added. “He taught me a lot to do. He was kind of colorful at times.”
Sullins said Reynolds was police chief for 18 years and, halfway through his time as police chief, also became the city manager.
Sullins said he never wanted to be a police chief and was happy just being a patrol officer.
“He (Reynolds) always wanted me to be chief,” the now police chief said. “If I don't do it, who’s going to do it? I went ahead and took it, and I’m glad I did.”
Sullins said that, when he started with Reynolds, Lumberton had six officers. Today, there are 19 officers on staff.
Reynolds began his law enforcement career after a four-year stint in the United States Air Force from 1959-63 and working for Texas U.S. Chemicals in Port Neches.
In 1965, Reynolds began working as a part-time police chief in Pear Ridge, Texas, until the early 1970s. Pear Ridge was an area of Port Arthur that used to be a separate city in Jefferson County. The city was incorporated in 1935 and, by 1986, Port Arthur had taken control of Pear Ridge.
Later, Reynolds served in the Port Neches Police Department as a patrol sergeant.
In October 1989, Reynolds became the police chief in Lumberton and retired as both police chief and city manager in 2008.
Longtime Councilwoman Lynette Barks remembers Reynolds’ contributions to the city of Lumberton.
“He was a great chief and, when he became city manager, he did just as fine of a job, which he had never done before,” said Barks. “He helped our city grow tremendously for it to thrive and grow. He was very instrumental, along with many other city leaders”
Barks noted that Reynolds and late Mayor Bill Nelson worked together to help build the police station.
Barks said Reynolds was a “very strong man.”
“He was not opinionated, but he was right. He did right things,” she added.
After his retirement, Reynolds became the police chief for the Port of Beaumont for four more years until he retired again at age 71.
Reynolds was born on Jan. 31, 1941, in Tyler to Preston James Reynolds and Kathryn Barker-Reynolds.
In 1959, he graduated from Port Neches-Groves High School. He was a standout football player, who received district honors, and was also a Golden Gloves boxer, who fought for the state title.
Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Gwyn Reynolds of Beaumont; two sons, Norman Reynolds Jr. and wife Becky of Groves; and Larry Reynolds and wife Anne of Port Neches; daughter, Melissa Fischer and husband Chris of Beaumont; two grandchildren, Reid and Mauri Reynolds; brother, Gary Reynolds and wife Pat of Arizona; sister, Kathi Green and husband Brad of Nederland; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services, officiated by Richard Vaughn, were July 21 at Levingston Funeral Home in Groves. Burial was at Oak Bluff Memorial Park in Port Neches. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.