Timothy Brian Reynolds

Timothy Brian Reynolds, 40, boogied out of this world Sunday, April 7, 2024, on the sound waves of Billy Strings. He was surrounded in love by his Newton boys and gals as he journeyed on, “going where the wind don’t blow so strange.”

As far as humankind goes, he was above all a kind man. He’d go miles for people where most would go a block. Completely fearless on the outside and caring and vulnerable on the inside, he’d give you the shirt off his back. If he wasn’t wearing one, he’d find one for you. “I’m just here to help,” he’d say. 

“That ol’ whiskey drinkin’, [morel huntin’, Packer lovin’] bluegrass listenin’, Carhartt wearin’, all-night rambler, he’ll always be. If there’s still ramblin’ in the rambler, let him go.” 

Born in Newton, Iowa, on Dec. 11, 1983, he earned the first of a lifelong streak of nicknames when he was deemed “Timmy the Toad” for the amphibious look of his baby cheeks. Never concerned with appearances, that little baby toad grew into his 1980s mullet with his own distinctive flair. Or maybe he was just born with it? Business in the front, party in the back. Tim developed an innate charisma that enabled him to shift effortlessly between gentleman and hell raiser. Popping wheelies with his brother and pals, he was known as “Timmy the Tooth” and laid the foundation for lifelong friendships that were stronger than the chain-link fences they hopped all around the mean streets of Newton.

From wheelin’ with buds to sharin’ buds, he headed West to heed the call, “Come on out. We have a room for you.” He created a sense of family wherever he roamed and joined a motley crew of hippies on the western seaboard. Communing in life to live free and fast, they explored mountains, waterfalls, rivers and relationships inspired by music and medicine. “Timmy Pockets,” as he was known then, was unburdened by portable possessions and often lived in a psychedelic trance. “Well, most things that I know, I didn't learn in class. The road don't go forever, so ride it while it lasts. / If you're gonna raise a ruckus, one word of advice: If you're gonna do wrong, buddy, do wrong right.”  

But alas, Johnny Law came a-knockin’. “With his badge and his gun, he’ll just hassle everyone, He’ll get you on the run, Johnny Law.” Tim returned to Iowa, eyes a-blazin’, and settled up with ol’ Johnny. It was the era of “Timmy Buns.” All that lifting in the clinker paid off in a toned stinker.

True to his love of nature and giving, he joined the inaugural Green Iowa AmeriCorps in 2009.  “Green it, mean it, bitches,” was his motto as he worked on green community building in the aftermath of the Floods of 2008 in Cedar Rapids. He took his passion for home weatherization and green building with him to Des Moines, founding his energy efficiency company Reynold Energy Solutions, where he was oft heard to say, “F**k it. Foam it?” 

His schmoozing skills moved with him to the restaurant industry where he became a front-of-house favorite in nearly every beer pub in Central Iowa. If you’ve gone out for a cold one in the past decade, there’s a good chance Tim served it to you with a heavy dose of charm and bulls**t. Because he could B.S. with the best of them, he infamously launched a gubernatorial bid with the hashtag #TimnotKim2022. By that time, “Timmy Beans” was known to many in the service industry, fueled by the magical fruit and known for his excessively loud toot.  

Speaking of toots, he always came bearing bubbles, baubles, toys and an endless pot of F-bombs for his passel of little people, much to the chagrin of their parents. He was “Uncle Timmy” to Alayna, Landry, Nash, Levon, Virgil, Miles and Miss O. He was “Godfather” to Oliver and a devoted big brother to Zach. 

A fellow with an infectious smile and sparkling green eyes doesn’t stay single long. He was gifted two great loves in his life. He spent 14 years with Cynthia O’Hern, journeying together, rearing chickens and acting on cockamamie ideas. “In spite of ourselves, we'll end up a-sittin' on a rainbow." He then found a spark and a rock in Megan Schaffer (Daniels). To her, he was “the love I didn’t know I needed and the love I can’t live without.” Timmy spent his final days in happiness under Megan’s fierce love and care. "Not sure that I deserve all the love that I receive, but I give it all to her."

While Timmy’s “I do what I want” attitude ultimately caught up with him, he lives on in the stories,  laughter and love of those who knew him. “There’s nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile.”

In honor of Timmy, his family and many friends request that you perform a random act of kindness for a fellow human.

A celebration of his one-of-a-kind life is set for 1-5 p.m. April 20, 2024 (yeah, that’s right: 420, b****es!) at El Bait Shop’s Patio (200 SW 2nd St.) in Des Moines, Iowa. A GoFundMe has been set up to cover funerary and shindig expenses: https://gofund.me/5434f492