Dr. Reed R. Blaisdell

Dr. Reed R. Blaisdell 1922 - 2012 Dr. Reed R. Blaisdell was born on November 8, 1922 in Malad City, Idaho, the eighth child of John E. and Florence J. Blaisdell. He was raised on the Blaisdell ranch in St. John, Oneida County, Idaho, where he attended St. John Elementary School and graduated from Malad High School in 1940. He then attended Henager Business College in Salt Lake City from 1940-41. He then attended Utah State Agricultural College in Logan Utah. During the summer of 1942, Reed was listed 1-A in the draft. He took the necessary exams and was accepted into the Naval Aviation Cadet program and called to active duty in February 1943. During the next year, Reed trained at several locations and graduated from flight school in Corpus Christi, Texas in August 1944, receiving his Navy Aviation Gold wings. He was commissioned as an Ensign in the Naval Reserve Corp. and sent to Daytona Beach, Florida for training in the Navy's F6F Hellcat fighter plane. His group left for San Diego in January 1945 for the Pacific theater of war. He was assigned to Air Group 16 aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Randolph at Letye Gulf in the Philippine Islands. The U.S.S. Randolph was part of the U.S. 3rd fleet commanded by Admiral Halsey. The fleet steamed north to the mainland of Japan where Reed's squadron flew several missions off the main islands of Japan. He was awarded the Bronze Air medal and a Bronze Star in lieu of a 2nd air medal for his participation in the air strikes against Japan. Reed was discharged from the Navy in November 1945 and returned to his home in Idaho to work on the ranch. Reed did not particularly enjoy ranching, so in the fall of 1946 he entered the University of Utah, where he completed his pre-dental studies and was accepted into the Loyola University School of Dentistry in Chicago, Illinois in 1949. Reed married Shelba Ann Harris of Malad, Idaho in June 1947 in the Logan Utah Temple. Their eldest son, Lynn, was born October 30, 1948 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Their second son, John, was born July 11, 1952, while Reed was attending dental school in Chicago. He graduated in June 1953 and moved to Caldwell, Idaho where he set up his dental practice and welcomed their third son, Mark, on June 23, 1953 in Boise, Idaho. Reed enjoyed such hobbies as golfing, fishing, hunting and flying. He continued to fly until 1983. He was a faithful member of the L.D.S. church, where he served as scout master for 8 years. He also served in three Bishoprics, High Priest Group Leader, and Stake High Council. He was a devoted father and husband and a kind and gentle friend to all who knew him. In August 1987, his beloved wife, Shelba, passed away due to cancer. In January 1989 he met and later married Aileen Hansen Atwood in Scottsdale, Arizona in April 1989. They divided their time between Caldwell, Idaho and Mesa, Arizona. In September 2001, Reed and Aileen sold the family home in Caldwell and purchased a condominium in Perry, Utah. This married brought two devoted stepsons, Robert D. Atwood of Logan, Utah and Charles Thomas Atwood of Mt. Vernon, Washington. This loving union brought together a total of 20 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren. Reed is survived by his wife Aileen, and sons, Lynn(Lahna) Blaisdell, Boise, Idaho; John(Carol) Blaisdell, Caldwell, Idaho; Mark(Debra) Blaisdell, Bountiful, Utah, stepsons, Robert D.(Gladys Ann) Atwood, Charles Thomas(Judy) Atwood, Mt. Vernon, Washington, 20 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, John and Florence, his wife, Shelba, four brothers, Edward, Nolan, Dale and Ken, sister Thora Jensen, and a grandson, Doran Reed Blaisdell. Funeral services will be conducted at 12:00 Noon Saturday April 14, 2012 at the Caldwell 3rd Ward LDS Chapel at Ustick and Montana Streets. Burial will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery at Caldwell with military graveside rites. Friends and family may call the Church on Saturday from 10:30 to 11:30AM