Michael “Mike” McReynolds
Oct. 2, 1945 – Dec. 4, 2024
James Marshall High School Class of 1964
Michael “Mike” McReynolds, salesman, Navy veteran, longtime Sacramento-area resident, gambler, sports lover and an all-around good guy devoted to family and friends, died at age 79.
If he could, Mike would probably dispute any or all of the foregoing statements because that’s how he was. He stirred the pot. He joked that his biggest civic accomplishment was staying out of trouble.
Mike liked to play devil’s advocate,” said Mary McReynolds, his wife of 57 years. “He liked to push buttons.” He was a warm-hearted, funny contrarian who drew people to him. He had a salesman’s personality and was a top performer in the real-estate business. He sold radios and two-way communication systems to trucking companies and casinos for the Motorola company.
But Mike’s heart was in family, friends and sports. He played football at James Marshall High School in West Sacramento. He organized bowling and golf outings for Mary, their daughter, Rebecca, known as Becky, and friends. He coached the girl’s flag-football team when Becky attended St. Francis High School in Sacramento. He coached Pop Warner football in Broderick for several years and assisted at Little League baseball games. And the “Legend,” as friends nicknamed him, once bowled a 300 game and made a few holes-in-one on the golf course. No argument from Mike on that score.
Born in Oakland Oct. 2, 1945, to Mickey and June McReynolds, Mike grew up in West Sacramento. He graduated from high school just as the Vietnam War was rapidly escalating. Uncertain about a college path, Mike enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1966 and went off for basic training. On a return visit to Sacramento, he met Mary on a blind date and fell in love. It was a whirlwind courtship leading to their marriage on Jan. 21, 1967. Daughter Becky was born April 16, 1968, while Mike was overseas.
During the height of the Vietnam War, Mike served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, the first nuclear-powered ship to engage in combat operations. The ship made four combat deployments to Vietnam and Southeast Asia during Mike’s naval service as a fire-control technician. On Jan. 14, 1969, Mike and crewmates fought devastating explosions and fires that ripped through the carrier while it was being prepared for a return to Vietnam. Twenty-eight sailors were killed and 314 injured. Mary waited long anxious hours before Mike was able to get a call through saying he was safe.
Upon his return to civilian life, Mike enrolled at Sacramento City College while Mary taught elementary school in Broderick, a career that lasted 38 years. Mike worked part-time jobs to help pay for his education, leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree in environmental sciences from California State University, Sacramento.
Medical problems cast a dark shadow over the family in later years. Becky struggled with cancer for two years before she died in 2019 at age 50. Mary endured a long battle with cancer herself while Mike was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and underwent stem-cell replacement. He suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease before dying from a heart attack.
For much of his life, Mike was not a religious man. He did not attend church services. Although he loved to debate, he left religion alone. He accepted Mary’s Roman Catholicism without question, and their daughter Becky was raised in the faith. And then, 30 years into the marriage, Mike suddenly announced that he intended to convert to the Catholic faith. “The Holy Spirit tapped me on the shoulder,” he told his flabbergasted wife. He embarked on instructional lessons and became a baptized Catholic.
Mike is survived by his wife, Mary; his sister, Cathy McReynolds; his nephew, Roger Murry; his niece, Ericka Rohosky, and her husband, Steven; a number of cousins; and many close friends. Mike was a lifetime member of the West Sacramento Veterans of Foreign Wars.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated Jan. 9 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary Cemetery and Funeral Center, 6509 Fruitridge Road, Sacramento. A committal service and reception will follow.
Remembrances may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org, or Best Friends Animal Society, https://bestfriends.org. and the West Sacramento Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8762, 905 Drever Streets.
