More detail on this person: Riverdale, UT-Major
Dan L. Reeder (Ret.), USAF, died of a ruptured
aortal aneurysm on Sunday, September 29, 2013.
He was born May 27, 1936 to John C. and Garnet
Rock Reeder in Morgan, Utah. He was the second
of six sons. An only sister passed away just prior
to his birth. Dan's parents moved to Ogden, Utah,
where he attended school - graduating from Weber
High School in 1954. His favorite experiences from
those years were his membership in Civil Air
Patrol and working as a guide at Yellowstone
National Park each summer. Dan loved to fly, and
after attending Weber College he went into the
Aviation Cadet Program and graduated as a jet
pilot and 2nd Lieutenant in Greenville,
Mississippi in March 1960. He then went into
helicopter training to become an air rescue pilot.
He was stationed at Wheelus Air Base (Tripoli,
Libya); Kunsan Air Force Base (Kunsan, Korea);
Moron Air Base (Seville, Spain); Shaw and Myrtle
Beach Air Force Bases (both in South Carolina),
Tyndall Air Force Base (Panama City, Florida);
Hickam Air Force Base (Hawaii); Udorn Royal Thai
Air Force Base (Thailand); Kirkland Air Force Base
(Albuquerque, NM); and Hill Air Force Base (Ogden,
Utah). He was very proud of being a rescue pilot
and saved over 250 lives during his career. He
lived by the rescueman's creed "That others may
live".
Some of his awards were the Distinguished Flying
Cross with 2 bronze clusters; the Air Medal with
four clusters; the Air Force Commendation Medal
with one cluster; Combat Readiness Medal with
three clusters; Presidential Unit Citation;
Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with
clusters; and numerous others.
He was a charter member of the Jolly Green
Association (Buff Chapter), member #028.
He was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints. Upon entering the Air
Force, he was called by Elder Ezra Taft Benson to
become a Servicemen's Group Leader for the
duration of his military career. He earned his
Master M-Man award. He served as a Branch
President, MIA president, High Priest Group
Leader, Stake activities chair, stake and ward
choir director, and numerous other callings in
various parts of the world. Dan had a beautiful
singing voice and sang solos around the world,
performing the tenor solo in "The Messiah" and the
lead role in numerous musicals.
On November 28, 1958, he met the love of his life
in Vale, Oregon (she was only 15) on a blind date
arranged by his best friend. After a lengthy
courtship (over the phone and through letters)
they were married for time and all eternity in the
Salt Lake Temple on June 28, 1961. They were
married for 52 years and 3 months. They had four
musical children, who had to audition before
gaining admission to the family. He delighted in
having them perform all over the world with him in
church programs and ice cream shops and
Barbershop Society (SPEBSQSA) programs.
He was known by many people as their favorite
"Santa's Helper." Because of his world travels, he
was frequently able to greet children in their
native tongue. He was loved by children
everywhere, and he loved them.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his
sister Sondra and brother Mike. He is survived by
his loving wife, Joan; children: Dani Jo (Scott)
Wood of Ogden, David (Ann C.) Reeder of
Centerville, John (Christena) Reeder of
Farmington, and Garianne (James) Manning of
Ogden. He is also survived by 20 grandchildren
(four serving LDS missions in Australia, Indiana,
Armenia, and The Philippines) and two great
grandchildren. Also surviving are his brothers
John, Patrick, William, and Robert and associated
family members.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, October
3rd at 11 a.m. at the Washington Terrace 7th Ward
Chapel, 4900 South 300 West.
The family will meet with friends Wednesday from 6
to 8 p.m. at Lindquist's Ogden Mortuary, 3408
Washington Blvd. and Thursday from 9:30 to 10:30
a.m. at the church.
Interment, Lindquist's Memorial Gardens of the
Wasatch, 1718 Combe Road. Send condolences
to the family at: www.lindquistmortuary.com
Published in Deseret News on October 1, 2013
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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