George Shomer Reynolds was born on 23 April 1931 in Chicago, Illinois to Leo James and Agnes Rose (Shomer) Reynolds. He was the third of four children. His older brother Father Robert Emmit Reynolds was a priest of the Diocese of Peoria. He had two sisters, Mrs. Margaret (Marty) Sallade and Mrs. Sandy T. DeBlaker. George was baptized on 15 May 1931 at Saint Lucy's Church in Chicago. He attended one year of grammar school at Ascension in Oak Park, Illinois (1938-39), then went to Saint Eulalia Grammar School in Maywood, Illinois from 1939-44. From 1944-45, he attended Quigley Prep, the archdiocesan high school seminary, but later transferred to Fenwick High School in Oak Park and graduated in 1948. Following high school he enrolled at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa in preparation to join the Dominican Friars of the Province of Saint Albert the Great where he studied Philosophy.

Father Reynolds was received into the Order as a novice on 31 August 1951 in Winona, Minnesota and was given the religious name John Dominic. He was affectionately known in the province as "JD." One year later, on 1 September 1952, he professed his first vows. He then was transferred to the Dominican House of Studies in River Forest, Illinois to continue his studies and formation for the priesthood. He professed solemn vows on 1 September 1955 at the House of Studies in the hands of Father M.J. Clancey, O.P. He continued his studies and on 23 May 1959, he was ordained to the priesthood in Dubuque, Iowa by Archbishop Leo Binz.

Father George's first assignment was teaching English, moderator for the school newspaper and director and producer of school plays at Fenwick High School in Oak Park, Illinois from 1959-63, then at Bishop Lynch High School from 1963-65 where he also taught English and directed the plays. Over the next several years, especially in the summer, he studied English at DePaul University in Chicago, University of Minnesota, University of Dallas, and University of New Mexico. He earned a M.A. in English from University of Dallas in 1971. He continued his teaching ministry at the College of Saint Catherine in St. Paul, Minnesota from 1965-66.

Father Reynolds had many ministries over the next thirty-five years Here is a list of the teaching and pastoral ministries he held: 1966-69 pastor and prior of Saint Albert the Great Parish and Priory in Minneapolis; 1969-70 teaching English at the University of Dallas; 1971-79 pastor and director of the Newman Center at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque; 1979-81 director of the Newman Center at Southeastern Louisiana

University in Hammond; 1981-83 director of the Newman Center at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia; 1983-85 sabbatical and spiritual director for priests in the Lourdes Program at Jemez Springs, New Mexico; 1985-88 spiritual director at Villa Louis Martin and Foundation House in Jemez Springs; 1988-89 Newman Chaplain at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; 1990-94 campus ministry at Saint Francis Newman Center, Silver Springs, New Mexico; 1994-96 Administrator of Saint Louis Parish in Glenrock, Wyoming and chaplain at Casper College, Casper, Wyoming; 1996-98 director of formation, School for Pastoral Ministry, Diocese of Venice; 1998-99 Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Pompeii Parish, Tickfaw, Louisiana; 1999-01 Pastor of Saint Mary's Parish, Las Animas, Colorado; 2001-02 sabbatical, Saint Albert's College in Oakland, California; 2002-08 Parochial Vicar at Saint Francis of Assisi in Castle Rock, Colorado; 2009-14 Limited service and supply at Saint Thomas Aquinas Community, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

After many years of ministry in a variety of settings, Father George's health was diminishing. He moved in 2014 to Saint Pius V Priory in Chicago, our assisted living community. After being so active for so many years, he still wanted to be of help and asked to join the small community at the Dominican Motherhouse in Springfield, Illinois. There he helped with Masses and other sacramental needs at the motherhouse. After several months, he needed to come back to Saint Pius for health reasons. He was back a short time and continued to experience failing health. He was transferred to Resurrection Life Center in early January 2016 and shortly after was receiving hospice care at the center. He died peacefully on 13 January 2016 after many visits of family and friends the week before. Father George had an incredible sense of humor and was more than ready to meet the Lord. He brought great joy and faith to many people over the years.

Services were held at Saint Vincent Ferrer Church in River Forest, Illinois on Thursday, 23 January 2016. Mass of Christian Burial was at 10:00AM preceded by Sung Morning Prayer at 9:00AM. Father James V. Marchionda, O.P., Prior Provincial, presided and Father Daniel Davis, O.P., preached. Funeral arrangements were handled by Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home. He was buried in the Dominican Section at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines, Illinois.