This site is dedicated to the memory of Thomas Alex Reynolds
Thomas Alexander Reynolds was born April 5, 1989, in Federal Way, Wash., son of John and Lori Reynolds.
Alex attended Sunset Terrace Elementary, John Adams Middle School and graduated from John Marshal High School in 2007. He attended the University of Minnesota School of Agriculture in the Economics program for a time. After high school, he dealt blackjack at Treasure Island Casino, then Little Six Casino, working up to floor and pit supervisor positions. Because of casino rules, most who know him from the casinos call him Tom.
Alex had such a unique flare for life with many passions and hobbies, such as disc golf, and in-line skating. Interests such as cooking and shopping for cars online, on roadsides, backyards and campsites. He bought vehicles (including a 72 passenger bus) other people considered junk for next to nothing and then Alex and his dad would make them drivable.
Where many young men recoil at the idea of wearing formal dress, Alex reveled in donning a suit or tuxedo and applied his own unique style to his apparel choices for high school dances. His suave, debonair personality and mannerisms presented a James Bond-like style of elegance and extravagance.
His mother always said he was golden because of his ability to charm the powers that be, to bend and break rules and conventions in school and other areas of life without getting in trouble, while maintaining good relationships with teachers or superiors and obtaining his desired outcome in situations. Where many children of high intelligence find difficulty coping with school and life requirements, and act out in a negative way, Alex used his skills to enjoy the expectations of society and the world.
He treasured the time spent with his son and was a wonderful, loving father in the short time they had together.
On March 26, 2016 Thomas Alex Reynolds took his own life at the age of 26. His family and friends did not know the extent to which Alex was struggling with Chronic Depression.
1 in 4 people suffer from a mental health issue each year.
Sadness is a perfectly normal reaction to life’s struggles, setbacks, and disappointments. Many people use the word “depression” to explain these kinds of feelings, but depression is much more than just sadness. Depression is the overwhelming feeling of sadness when everything in your life seems to be going right. However, some depressed people don’t feel sad at all—they may feel lifeless, empty, and apathetic, or some may even feel angry, aggressive, and restless.
Whatever the symptoms, depression is different from normal sadness in that it engulfs your day-to-day life, interfering with your ability to work, study, eat, sleep, and have fun. The feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and worthlessness are intense and unrelenting, with little, if any, relief. Depression makes it tough to function and enjoy the things you once did. Just getting through the day can be overwhelming.
But no matter how hopeless you feel, you can get better. Understanding the signs, symptoms, causes, and treatment of depression is the first step to overcoming the problem.
Alex’s parents want to reach out and help others. Memorial Donations to the family will be used to help people who suffer from Chronic Depression. John & Lori have chosen Zumbro Valley Health Center in Rochester, MN as the recipient of these donations. ZVHC has been helping people with mental and chemical health for 50 years regardless of their ability to pay.
For more information on Zumbro Valley Health Center and Chronic Depression
Go to: http://www.zvhc.org/
Checks can be made out to:
Zumbro Valley Health Center
with the Memo Line Reading: Thomas Alex Reynolds Memorial Fund
Mail to:
Zumbro Valley Health Center
Attention: Sean Rice
343 35th St. SE
Rochester, MN 55904
Alex attended Sunset Terrace Elementary, John Adams Middle School and graduated from John Marshal High School in 2007. He attended the University of Minnesota School of Agriculture in the Economics program for a time. After high school, he dealt blackjack at Treasure Island Casino, then Little Six Casino, working up to floor and pit supervisor positions. Because of casino rules, most who know him from the casinos call him Tom.
Alex had such a unique flare for life with many passions and hobbies, such as disc golf, and in-line skating. Interests such as cooking and shopping for cars online, on roadsides, backyards and campsites. He bought vehicles (including a 72 passenger bus) other people considered junk for next to nothing and then Alex and his dad would make them drivable.
Where many young men recoil at the idea of wearing formal dress, Alex reveled in donning a suit or tuxedo and applied his own unique style to his apparel choices for high school dances. His suave, debonair personality and mannerisms presented a James Bond-like style of elegance and extravagance.
His mother always said he was golden because of his ability to charm the powers that be, to bend and break rules and conventions in school and other areas of life without getting in trouble, while maintaining good relationships with teachers or superiors and obtaining his desired outcome in situations. Where many children of high intelligence find difficulty coping with school and life requirements, and act out in a negative way, Alex used his skills to enjoy the expectations of society and the world.
He treasured the time spent with his son and was a wonderful, loving father in the short time they had together.
On March 26, 2016 Thomas Alex Reynolds took his own life at the age of 26. His family and friends did not know the extent to which Alex was struggling with Chronic Depression.
1 in 4 people suffer from a mental health issue each year.
Sadness is a perfectly normal reaction to life’s struggles, setbacks, and disappointments. Many people use the word “depression” to explain these kinds of feelings, but depression is much more than just sadness. Depression is the overwhelming feeling of sadness when everything in your life seems to be going right. However, some depressed people don’t feel sad at all—they may feel lifeless, empty, and apathetic, or some may even feel angry, aggressive, and restless.
Whatever the symptoms, depression is different from normal sadness in that it engulfs your day-to-day life, interfering with your ability to work, study, eat, sleep, and have fun. The feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and worthlessness are intense and unrelenting, with little, if any, relief. Depression makes it tough to function and enjoy the things you once did. Just getting through the day can be overwhelming.
But no matter how hopeless you feel, you can get better. Understanding the signs, symptoms, causes, and treatment of depression is the first step to overcoming the problem.
Alex’s parents want to reach out and help others. Memorial Donations to the family will be used to help people who suffer from Chronic Depression. John & Lori have chosen Zumbro Valley Health Center in Rochester, MN as the recipient of these donations. ZVHC has been helping people with mental and chemical health for 50 years regardless of their ability to pay.
For more information on Zumbro Valley Health Center and Chronic Depression
Go to: http://www.zvhc.org/
Checks can be made out to:
Zumbro Valley Health Center
with the Memo Line Reading: Thomas Alex Reynolds Memorial Fund
Mail to:
Zumbro Valley Health Center
Attention: Sean Rice
343 35th St. SE
Rochester, MN 55904
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