YOSEMITE, CA —"I knew my destiny when I first experienced Yosemite,” Ansel Adam’s words could not be truer for Yosemite Postmaster John O Reynolds. After decades of Postal Service, Reynolds will be leaving exactly where he started over 44 years ago in the majestic Post Office nestled in Yosemite National Park.

On Tuesday, January 31, 2023, Yosemite Postmaster John O Reynolds will clock in for the very last time after 44 years of Postal Service. He won’t be leaving without a party though, there will be a special send off at 11:30 a.m. at the Yosemite Post Office, Yosemite National Park, 9017 Village Dr, Yosemite Valley, CA 95389.

“My good fortune to start my Post Office career is where I am ending it, right here in Yosemite National Park,” said Reynolds.

Reynolds started his postal career in the summer of 1979 by chance. He went into the Post Office to visit his mother, who worked at the Yosemite Post Office for 43 years, when the Postmaster approached him about a job.

“My good fortune was the misfortune of the returning casual clerk. He was involved in a motorcycle accident and shattered his leg,” said Reynolds. That’s when the Postmaster at the time asked him if he had a summer job. Reynolds replied he did not.

“Without a word being said he brought out the wooden stamp and cash credit drawer that belonged to the misfortune clerk who had shattered his leg the day before and said, ‘count this your hired’.”

Reynolds worked as a casual until he became a career employee in the summer of 1983. He went on to step into management and was promoted as the Postmaster of nearby El Portal in 2004. In 2012 his dream position, the Postmaster of Yosemite, became available and he applied in a heartbeat.

“The alure and love of living in Yosemite my birthplace was too strong. No matter what I did in the world I would always be drawn back to this place.”

He was awarded the position that fall.

As the Postmaster of Yosemite, Reynolds was able to live and raise his family in the place that he has always known.

Reynolds has had unique opportunities in his role, including participating in National Postal events. The highlight of his career was when he shook hands with sitting President Barack Obama on his Father’s Day visit to Yosemite in 2016.

“When asked when I am out and about walking the valley checking the disposition of the erosion pattern, ‘How’s are things going today, John?’ My reply is usually ‘Liv’in the Dream’.”

There were serious responsibilities that also came with working in this marvelous but vulnerable geography. Being Postmaster in Yosemite, according to Reynolds, centered around trust.

“Part of that trust is not only in their mail needs, but guidance of reassurance during many of the natural disasters that have occurred here in Yosemite over the years. Rockslides causing road closures. Wildfires and floods involving complete evacuation of Yosemite Valley. Nature disasters can be a great source of stress and anxiety, the unknowing. Which in turn I think causes people to look for an anchor, reassurance from a place that one can always trust.”

“That is why it has been such a great pleasure to work for this wonderful organization called the U.S. Postal Service.”

MEDIA ALERT: Please contact Kristina.Uppal@usps.gov to RSVP to Retirement or Interview with Postmaster

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