Reynolds remembered as passionate fisherman, family man
Longtime FLW Tournament Director Sonny Reynolds passed late Tuesday night in his Gilbertsville, Ky., home after a bout with cancer. He was 69.
A former Marine, Reynolds was a pioneer in the growth of competitive fishing. A tournament bass angler himself for many years, Reynolds is largely credited with helping the sport branch out from its traditional southeastern roots to untapped markets in the North and West.
He joined FLW in 1986 and in 2000 was tasked with spearheading FLW’s endeavor into walleye fishing. With a southern accent and a bass-fishing background, Reynolds initially stuck out like a sore thumb. But he quickly won the walleye world over with his sincere, straightforward approach. Reynolds remained in that capacity for over a decade and recently oversaw the resurgence of the National Guard FLW Walleye Tour.
Reynolds and his wife Sharon became family to walleye anglers across the Midwest and were simply known as “Sonny and Shar” on Tour. He administered tournaments with a firm hand, but cared deeply about his fishermen and the sport.
Reynolds’ blunt style occasionally got him into trouble and he possessed an uncommon sense of humor. When a tournament angler brought a heavy stringer of fish to the scale, Reynolds often referred to it as “tall cotton” and said the angler was “grinning like a corn-cribbed rat.” In reality, the angler wasn’t the only person on stage grinning. Reynolds enjoyed his profession, which was evident by that ever-present smile.
Reynolds’ love of fishing was surpassed only by his love of family.
Besides his wife, Reynolds is survived by brothers Doug and Don; sons Tyler, Terry and Tracey; daughter Jessica Moss and son-in-law Blake Moss; grandson Hunter; nephews Jason Scott Slagle and Donald Eric Slagle; and great nephew Christopher Slagle. He was preceded in death by his daughter Sherry Lynn Reynolds.
Visitation is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 17 at Filbeck-Cann and King in Benton, Ky. The funeral service will begin at 2 p.m.
“Sonny was a dear friend to me and to everyone in the sport,” said Kathy Fennel, president of the FLW Operations Division. “He was his own man, and he cared deeply about all the anglers he worked with over the years. His place in fishing lore is secure. He will be missed.”
In honor of his countless contributions to the sport during his 26 years of service, the Reynolds family has established the Sonny Reynolds Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship will be awarded to a college freshman who is an active member of an FLW College Fishing team.
Contributions to the Sonny Reynolds Memorial Scholarship Fund may be mailed to the FLW Foundation.
Please make checks payable to: Sonny Reynolds Memorial Scholarship Fund
Mail to: Sonny Reynolds Memorial Scholarship Fund
C/O FLW Foundation
30 Gamble Lane
Benton, KY 42025