Jessica '88 and Gary Reynolds '88 '92
Update: Shortly after this article was published, Gary passed away on Aug. 20, 2020. Gary's Texas A&M Foundation family extends their prayers and condolences to his family and loved ones.
The Texas A&M Foundation is honoring one of its own team members, Gary Reynolds ’88 ’92, with a Fish Camp scholarship endowment as he battles a life-threatening form of cancer.
The scholarship will support Aggies who are unable to afford the cost of attending Fish Camp and recognizes the tremendous contributions Gary has made to the College of Geosciences and Texas A&M University overall.
“Our entire team is honored to call Gary a colleague, friend and an exemplar of what a life well-lived looks like,” said Tyson Voelkel ’96, president of the Foundation. “From the first time we met, I have been humbled by his calm, selfless and purposeful approach to leading and serving others. His impact on our organization has no bounds. Supporting his wishes to endow funds for Fish Camp is one small way our team could ensure his legacy and inspire future generations. He and his family are in our thoughts and prayers.”
Gary has been a valued team member of the Foundation since 2018 when he transitioned from his role as Texas A&M’s associate athletics director for football. His many years spent in the collegiate and professional football world uniquely positioned him to dive into his Foundation role as the College of Geosciences’ senior director of development.
Debbie Thomas, College of Geosciences Dean, said Gary’s strong desire to learn about the geosciences and his enthusiasm for sharing his newfound knowledge made him an immediate asset to the team. “Gary is compassionate, warm, has an indomitable sense of humor and inspires by example,” Debbie said. “Everyone with whom he interacts is a better person for knowing him. He has a special gift of connecting people to their Aggieland passions, and his legacy will forever be cherished in the College of Geosciences.”
After earning his bachelor’s degree in industrial distribution in 1988 and his master’s in educational administration in 1992, Gary held various recruiting, coaching and athletic director positions for the University of Tennessee, the Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks before returning “home” for a successful 8-year career as Texas A&M’s director of football operations prior to moving into his associate athletics director role.
Gary credits much of his development success to these careers because they exposed him to the fundraising scene where he developed strong relationships with athletic donors. However, many of his peers and friends would agree that it is his love for Aggieland and deep-rooted desire to make a difference that has enabled him to excel in his career and makes him a human magnet to anyone who bleeds maroon.
His passion for Texas A&M began before he set foot in his first college class. “Fish Camp made such a great impact on me when I attended as a freshman that I also attended as a counselor three times and gained just as much from those experiences,” Gary said. “Fish Camp teaches the next generation our Aggie core values and traditions, and it has kept us unique and united in maintaining our identity.”
However, it wasn’t just the core values and traditions learned at Fish Camp that “hooked” Gary. “I met my wife, Jessica ’88, at Fish Camp before our freshman year,” Gary recalled with a smile. “We were in the same camp. Jessica is absolutely the best partner I could ever have, so our Fish Camp connection is difficult to put into words. We are beyond humbled and grateful to have this scholarship established in our names.”
Gary has touched many lives in the selfless way he has served others. If he has been an inspiration in your own life, the Foundation invites you to honor his life by supporting the Jessica ’88 and Gary Reynolds ’88 Fish Camp Scholarship. You can give online at http://give.am/GaryReynoldsScholarship. You can also mail a check donation to the Foundation at 401 George Bush Drive, College Station, TX 77840 with “Jessica ’88 and Gary Reynolds ’88 Fish Camp Scholarship – account number 04-37038” referenced in the memo line.
