PURCELL, OK—NOVEMBER 4, 2017—Funeral services are set Monday for longtime Oklahoma horseman Jack McReynolds, 86, who died Thursday (Nov. 2).

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. at the Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Purcell. Rosary services will be conducted at 6:30 pm Sunday at the Wilson-Little Funeral Home Chapel in Purcell. Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery in Purcell.

Jack McReynolds was born on the Horse Camp Ranch, one of the Scharbauer Ranches near Midland, Texas. His father worked for Clarence Scharbauer, Sr for 17 years, handling both cattle and horses, so horses have an integral part of his life since birth.

At the age of 19, he enlisted into the U. S. Air Force and proudly served his country during the Korean Conflict. While in the Air Force, Jack married the love of his life, Marilyn Anne Johnson. They were married on July 20, 1952, in Hobbs, New Mexico and together raised three children, Jim, Joe and Jan.

During their early life, Jack was on the rodeo circuit as a roper for a time. He worked at La Mesa Park, at Raton, NM, on the starting gates and as a trainer from 1963 to1966.

He was instrumental in starting the Kansas and Texas HBPA to protect the horsemen’s interest in the industry. He served on the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association Board of Directors. He is a lifetime member of AQHA, and has served on many other boards of directors over the years.

Jack and Marilyn moved to the 6666 Ranch in Guthrie, TX, in 1966, where Jack ran the Quarter Horse breeding program for two years. While there, Jack worked on and improved the extender solution which preserved a stallion’s sperm for use in artificial insemination. Also, while at the 6666, Jack was one of the original “Marlboro Men” in a TV commercial that was shot on the ranch.

It was in 1968 that Jack and family moved to Purcell and went to work for Briarwood Farms.

He was a student of pedigrees, researching and becoming a master of genetics. In 1974, the McReynolds and a group of some of the greatest horsemen of the era built Oklahoma Stud in Purcell. That group included Dr. John Beall, World Champion Cowboy Louis Brooks, Oklahoma racing insiders Joe L. and Joe F. Gary, highly regarded race horse breeder Clarence Scharbauer, Jr from Midland, TX.

Oklahoma Stud was the first of its kind to bring together a group of owners and breeders to stand a group of outstanding stallions in one place. They purchased almost a section of raw land in the soft, rolling hills southwest of Purcell. Managing partner McReynolds built what is still considered one of the most beautiful breeding facilities in the country.

Oklahoma Stud looked more like a country club than a breeding farm. Most of the plans for its layout and efficiency were ideas that Jack had carefully worked out in his mind during his many years in the horse business. The farm opened in 1975 and was immediately recognized as the elite of breeding operations in the Quarter Horse industry. It was widely publicized, and race fans and industry insiders both came from all over the country to see this state-of-the-art facility.

The stallions that stood at Oklahoma Stud were some of the most famous and important in the history of AQHA. With stud fees starting at $1,500 and ranging upward to $10,000 for the 1976 season, Oklahoma Stud broke new ground in the racing world. Over the years the roster included the likes of Victory Stride (TB), Double Bid, Tiny Charger, Alamitos Bar, Fleet Kirsch (TB), Hy Lucky Jay (TB), Bolductive (TB), Nativo (TB), Go For Two, Twin Jet, Fols Native (TB), Flaring Dancer, Gold Seeker Bars, Jet Charger, and Decka Center.

Some horses buried at Oklahoma Stud include Alamitos Bar, Double Bid and Go Josie Go.

AQHA presented the McReynolds’ and Oklahoma Stud a historical marker for their role in creating some of the best crosses in AQHA history.

Jack and Marilyn sold Oklahoma Stud in 1990 and built another farm close by where he raised, trained and raced Thoroughbreds until he retired. He and Marilyn were inducted into the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 2014.

Due to his nagging back injury, Jack was forced to retire in 2005. Jack loved being outdoors and working with his hands. His favorite pastime was leather plaiting. He made bridles and worked with all kinds of leather. Another thing that Jack enjoyed doing was writing poetry. Jack will be remembered as a great horseman, he was a wonderful husband, a terrific father and a loving grandfather.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Mantie McReynolds; a son Joe McReynolds; a son-in-law Randal Nelson; and granddaughter Jordan Nelson.

He is survived by: his wife of 65 years, Marilyn McReynolds of the home in Purcell, a daughter Jan Nelson Sharp and husband Tim of Norman, a son, Jim McReynolds and wife Deana of Pandora, Texas; a brother, Charlie McReynolds of Garland, Texas; four sisters, Barbara “Bobbie” Palmer of Marlow, OK, Virginia “Billie” Sledge and husband Charles of Kingwood, Texas, Juanell Robinson of Waxahatchie, Texas, Juanda Allen and husband Marion of Arizona; Six grandchildren,Jimmi Roach, John McReynolds, Randi Cornell, Kenny Jack McReynolds, Joseph Nelson and Julie Nelson. one grand daughter-in-law, Jamie McReynolds; 11 great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of other relatives and friends.