John Reynolds Stroud

John Reynolds Stroud died July 24, just shy of his 91^st birthday.

In his youth he developed his inquisitive mind at Purdue University and in the Navy, which led to a distinguished career as a “rocket scientist” at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Similarly, he developed his carpentry skills, tackling projects from furniture-making to major home additions. He played the trombone from marching band to wheelchair. Ever mindful of fitness, he ran hurdles in high school, later competed as a master’s swimmer and he commuted by bicycle long before it was fashionable. He proudly displayed two photos of himself on a tricycle: one at age 4, the other at age 84.

Throughout his life, “Big John” developed an ever-widening circle of family and friends. He raised four kids with his first wife (Saint), introducing them to music, swimming, sailing, backpacking and, by example, life skills such as the values of learning, health and citizenship. In his middle life and second marriage (Rosemary Joy) he really hit his stride as a doting grandfather to his newly-acquired extended family. He and Rosemary traveled extensively (Europe, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and more) and kept a flat in their beloved San Francisco. He carried these traits into his third marriage (Hildy) with more adventurous travel and continued as a loving partner, parent, grandparent and great-grandparent to an even greater tribe of family and friends.

In his final years, faced with the limitations forced upon him by old age, he adopted an unwavering commitment to his positive approach to life. To the very end he kept trying to ride his tricycle, play his trombone and to always display good humor and kindness with a twinkle in his eye. This demeanor earned him the nickname “Happy Pants,” a title he proudly embraced. His gentle path through life was guided by his wit, his curiosity and his kindness.

His family has decided to forgo a memorial service but instead asks you to send a favorite memory or anecdote about Stroud to either dearoldad [at] aol.com (dearoldad[at]aol[dot]com) or to John D. Stroud at 140 Sunrock Drive, Folsom, California 95630. The family plans to convene at one (or several) of Stroud’s favorite spots to share these memories.