Gordon "Gordy" Reinhardt, our beloved father, passed away December 29th. Son of the deceased Arthur and Georgia Reinhardt and born on April 14th, 1924 in Bucyrus Ohio, he served in the US Navy in WWII aboard the USS Appalachia. After returning from service he settled in Memphis and worked as a civil engineer at LaClede Steel Company. He was involved in the design and planning of many Memphis freeways and bridges including the famous I-40 bridge. His passion was music and he was a Memphis Federation of Musician's union member for years, served on the board and was president, was known and beloved by many other Memphis musicians and fans. He was in the River City Six for years, played the old Summit Club and played at the Peabody Skyway in the 40''s which is where he met our mother, Nita. He played and toured the country in the big band era, played numerous shows such as musicals and circuses that came to town. He played gigs with many famous stars such as Elvis, BB King. He played Dixieland jazz on the Memphis Queen Riverboat for many years and he toured the country with the Beale Street Corner Jazz Band and Hot Cotton, sharing his talent and love of Memphis Jazz music. He was an active member of the Unity Mason lodge, Scottish Rite and was a Shriner. He is survived by his wife of 63 years Marion "Nita" Reinhardt, his three daughters Anita Reinhardt Martin (Dan), Georgia Reinhardt Chapman (Ron) and Amy Reinhardt Hutchinson (Mike), six grandchildren and five great grandchildren and preceded in death by granddaughter Christina Renea Mitchell. Visitation will be 12 noon until services begin at 2 p.m. on Friday, January 3 at Forest Hill East Funeral Home with entombment following. Donations may be made to the Shriner Children''s Hospital
Forest Hill East Funeral Home
901-382-1000