Kathlyn Ann Reynolds was born September 21, 1929, in Shawnee, Oklahoma, to Byron and Eva Mae Roberts. They quickly moved to a farm outside Tonkawa, OK to land acquired in the Cherokee Strip Run of 1893. They farmed the rich, fertile, wheat land for nearly six years. From a very young age, music played an important role in her life. Her father was a gifted pianist and composer, degreed in piano performance. Her mother was an untrained singer with a lovely voice. Kathlyn spent part of her childhood in Dallas, TX before settling in Okmulgee with her grandparents.
After graduating from Okmulgee High School, she attended Oklahoma College for Women in Chickasha, OK where she received a strong music theory and history background. She entered the University of Oklahoma her junior year. She joined the Chi Omega sorority and met her greatest treasure, Bob Reynolds. After graduating in 1950 with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance, Bob and Kathlyn married and later moved to Kansas City, MO. She continued vocal study at the Conservatory of Music in Kansas City. Kathlyn performed with the Kansas City Philharmonic Chorus, the Philharmonic Opera Chorus, and did solo work at the Sunday Afternoon Pops Concert. On October 11, 1953, they were blessed with a beautiful baby girl, Denise Lynn. Kathlyn embraced motherhood with eagerness and joy. They returned to Oklahoma City and on October 30, 1958, they were blessed with a beautiful baby boy, Jeffrey Alan. Kathlyn had a lifelong love for music and was encouraged by others to become a teacher. She went back to the University of Oklahoma in 1967-68 and received a Bachelor of Music Education. That same year she began her teaching career in Putnam City Schools. In 1972, Kathlyn began teaching at Wiley Post Elementary. It was new, innovative, and had an open concept and philosophy. She worked there until she retired in 1990. During her career at Wiley Post, she served as a cooperating teacher to over fifty student teachers; she organized “Early Beat” (a gathering of the whole school every morning to sing); she directed the Wiley Post Singing Blue Angels Chorus to national recognition when they performed in Chicago, IL, for the Music Educators National Conference; she conducted music education workshops in most of the state higher education institutions; and she directed choral festivals throughout the southwest United States. During her career, she was the recipient of various honors:
1975 Outstanding Elementary Teachers of America
1982 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year
1982 National State Teacher of the Year member
1982 Distinguished Alumni – OU School of Music
1990 & 1992 Who’s Who in American Teachers
1994 OK Music Educators Association Hall of Fame
2001 OK County Retired Educators Association Excellence Award
2005 Selected as one of OU’s 75 Who Made a Difference
2020 Putnam City Schools Museum Lifetime Service Award
2023 Putnam City Schools Luminary Award
2023 Proclamation of “Kathlyn Reynolds Day” by Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt
After her retirement, Kathlyn remained extremely active, organizing a district Putnam City Honor Chorus in 1993, which performed at two OMEA state conventions, Governor Keating’s Murrah Building Memorial Ceremony, the Oklahoma Teacher of the Year ceremony and other various choral festivals. She has served as director/conductor of many local and state festivals; and she began a new career writing and composing (all published by Hal Leonard Corporation). These writings include a book for children’s church choir and a column for Music Express (a national music educator’s magazine). She has also written activities for Music In Our World, a multicultural music resource; The Little Donkey’s Easter Journey, a sacred musical for young voices; and Sing, Say, Dance, Play, an Orff activity based book for young voices. Kathlyn also spent her time volunteering at Mercy Hospital and was a member of multiple music organizations and professional organizations. She enjoyed book club, bunko, Girls Traveling Together, bridge, and many other social groups. She loved attending symphonies and musicals with family and friends. Kathlyn was a devout member of Church of the Servant. She was director of the children’s choir, she was a member of the adult choir, and a member of the bell choir. Bob and she enjoyed participating in many group trips, concerts, and holiday programs with the church. She lived a faithful life with Christ as her Lord and Savior. Her family continued to fill her life with love and joy. Denise graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Education. They welcomed Jack Loman Leonard to their family in 1975. Jack and Denise had three children Jennifer, Jessica, and JC. Her son Jeffrey graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelors in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Jeff passed away in 2010 leaving behind his wife Kirstin, and his son Blake. Kathlyn has nine great grandchildren: Jason, Jackson, Vance, Ruby, Roman, Demi, Kennedy, Clark, and Bob. She loved spending time with her family celebrating birthdays, holidays, ball games, or any other accomplishments. Sunday dinners were filled with good food and games. She was very proud of her family and enjoyed telling everyone about them. She was preceded in death by her husband Bob and son Jeff. Kathlyn was a shining star in everyone’s life. She was upbeat, joyous, and compassionate. She loved her family and friends with her whole heart and they loved her just as fiercely. She left her mark everywhere she went and she is going to be missed. Her love and spirit will continue to live on in all the lives she touched. She is now singing in the heavenly choirs with her Lord Jesus Christ.
