Reynolds was born September 24, 1902, in Chicago, Illinois to William Francis Reynolds (1863–1949) and Elizabeth Frances Reynolds (née Crowe; 1872–1949). The family immigrated to Canada in 1906; he was educated in Gadsby, Alberta.[1]
Reynolds farmed in the Gadsby area until around 1934. He then worked for the Provincial Government, specializing in promoting the welfare of horses. He held this position until he resigned in the spring of 1940 to run for the Stettler riding as the Social Credit candidate.[2]