We would be remiss if we did not mention the passing of someone who had a positive impact in the community for many years: John Richard Reynolds, known as Jack by most.

Jack passed away unexpectedly on Feb. 6 at the age of 74.

As his obituary noted, Jack’s was a life tied to baseball. He was employed as a member of the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union but his avocation was baseball.

Jack coached local baseball for more than 47 years, being a positive influence on the lives of many youth. He also served as an associated scout for the Major League Baseball teams the Kansas City Royals and the Atlanta Braves from 1968 to 2019.

After retirement, he spent many hours talking baseball with his coffee crew at Hardees and attended many, many games after his coaching days were done.

Those who knew Jack could testify to his sense of humor and his devotion to his family. And he was a community-minded gentleman, giving back to the area as a member of the Marquette Exchange Club and Marquette Elks Lodge BPOE 405.

Many who knew Jack wrote Facebook posts upon hearing of his passing. This one from current Marquette American Legion Baseball coach Derek Swajanen is typical of what was written:

“The world lost a great person in Jack Reynolds and words can’t describe it. After Dana and I were newly married, we showed up at the ball field in Marquette and he had just lost an assistant and brought us in with open arms, not only as a coach but as a family. The next year my coaching career started with him and has continued into four decades. He was there for all my girls as they were born and he raised then at the ball yard as if he were their grandfather. My family and the Marquette American Legion Baseball family would like to give our condolences to his family and friends. I will personally miss going to the yard and seeing him sitting around and enjoying the games and talking with all the players and family.”

A Celebration of Jack Reynolds’ Life will be held this spring and will be announced. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Marquette Legion Baseball, 700 W. Bluff Street, Marquette, MI 49855.

We offer our condolences to the many, many people who loved Jack Reynolds, including family, friends and baseball fans all over the Upper Peninsula.

Our world will be a little quieter and a lot less fun with Jack no longer with us. But we know he would tell us to enjoy life and cheer on a baseball team.

God bless, Jack Reynolds.