Benjamin Robert Reynolds

Benjamin “Rooster” Robert Reynolds, 61

Benjamin Robert Reynolds, better known as Rooster, was born on December 25, 1961 in Brownwood, Texas…forever being the best Christmas present Benny and Mary could ask for. He left this world on April 14, 2023, after a courageous battle with cancer. Rooster had a heart of gold, and everyone who knew him instantly felt they were his best friend.

To say Rooster was an outstanding brother is an understatement. He made everything an adventure. From making commercials with his siblings to adding a fun and competitive element to tasks and chores…nothing was off the table with Rooster. As a Falcon at TBHS, he enjoyed competing and excelled in football, basketball, track and field, and speech and drama. Keeping that love of sports, he attended many sporting events…always remaining a huge Falcon, Beaver, Bulldog, and (later in life) a Digger football fan. You knew when Rooster was in the stands! Another bond he shared with his brothers was the passion of sports betting. They thoroughly enjoyed placing bets with each other every day.

The lives of Rooster and Val followed different paths after the birth of their now adult daughter, Jessica. However, their paths recently re-converged and the couple was married in March 2022. Rooster’s title of husband was only surpassed by that of proud father to Jessica and Montana. Jessica brought delight and the title, grandfather, to Rooster with the births of her three sons, Alex, Kai and Benjamin.

Rooster was destined to be a cowboy! He was successful in high school and college rodeos. In 1987 Rooster earned the titles of Steer Wrestling Champion in both the NRA and EIRA. In 1995, he took the National Finals Rodeo at Las Vegas, Nevada by storm and was named the Wrangler National Finals Average Champion, ending up third in the world. He also found success in the Senior Pro Rodeos, earning the title of National Senior Pro Rodeo Finals Average Steer Wrestling Champion in 2007. 

Rooster never failed to delight everyone with his famous Rooster Shuffle at the end of a good run.

Rooster was also very talented with a rope. He was the 1991 Montana Pro Rodeo Finals Average Champion Header in team roping and won many other Wrangler Team Roping Championships. Cowboys from all over attended ropings held at the Reynolds Ranch arena in Twin Bridges.

His talents went beyond the rodeo arena. Rooster was a true cowboy poet and is well known for his poems and songs. He was requested to perform these at many functions.

He is quoted as saying, “I don’t know if the path through life I have chosen is the right one, but it is certainly the most scenic.” Even in the hospital room, he was full of his usual wit and humor. We will miss Rooster dearly…the man, the myth, the legend!

He is preceded in death by his parents Benjamin “Benny” Frank and Mary Elizabeth Reynolds, and uncles John and Louis Reynolds.

Rooster is survived by his wife Valerie Davids Reynolds, Pocatello; sister Jenny (Jesse) Peterson, Dillon; brothers Skip (Aprille) Jordan, Missoula and Louis John (Jamie) Reynolds, Missoula; children Jessica Lewis (Rob Argyle), Spanish Fork and Montana Ty Reynolds, Dillon; grandchildren Alex Lewis, Kai and Benjamin Argyle, Spanish Fork; uncles/aunts Donna (Pierce) Rouse, Dillon, DJ (Mary) Smith, Melrose, and Joyce Lee Phelan, Twin Bridges; nieces Kirstin Thomas (Aldo Romero), Britta Thomas and Millie Reynolds; nephews Justus and Jace Peterson and Max Reynolds; and numerous cousins he loved dearly.

A memorial service will be conducted at 1pm Saturday, May 6, in the Twin Bridges High School old gym, followed by a potluck reception at the Twin Bridges fairgrounds Pavilion.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rooster Reynolds Memorial Fund that has been created to help others in need: The Bank of Commerce, PO Box 1257 or 110 S. Idaho St., Dillon, MT 59725.