JT Reynolds was born in Galveston, Texas on October 30, 1946. He developed a love for the “out of doors” and explored nature in rural areas at an early age. His family took vacations but did not camp because of Jim Crow rules. The Reynolds family visited their first National Park, Hot Springs in Arkansas en route to visit Ebbets Field where the Brooklyn Dodgers played. Their goal was to see Jackie Robinson.
JT’s major while attending Texas A&M University was Recreation and Parks Management, and minored in wildlife sciences. After college, JT served his Country for four years in the U.S. Army. After completing his military obligation, JT returned to work for the National Park Service (NPS) in Washington, D.C. as an Environmental Education Specialist working with middle school teachers and taking inner city youth to local and regional NPS areas to camp and experience the great out of doors. After completing Park Ranger School at Albright Training Center, Grand Canyon, JT went on to hold many protection park ranger and regional office positions at NPS units from Yosemite to Grand Canyon National Parks. He also served on several agency recruiting and diversity task forces. Before retiring in 2009 as the superintendent of Death Valley National Park, he developed the Death Valley ROCKS (Recreation Outdoor Campaign for Kids thru Study) program as DEVA's standard. JT and his wife “Dot” now live in Henderson, Nevada and volunteers with several youth support organizations, and has served on several boards, supporting the National Park Service, local land management issues, and youth support groups. Dot and JT are active members of their church and also support and coordinate youth activities.
