Carl Redding Obituary
Lt. Col. Carl J. Redding, United States Air Force (Retired), age 92, of Gowen, passed away Thursday afternoon, October 23, 2025. The son of Cyril James & Dorothy (Boonstra) Redding, he was born on September 27, 1933 in Grand Rapids.
Soon after graduating from high school, he met his future wife at a dance in Ravenna. Carl then joined the United States Air Force, and while home for Thanksgiving, married Jacqueline Dorothy Kuiper on November 25, 1955 in Angola, Indiana. While in the Air Force, he and Jackie traveled the world, with Air Force stops in Japan, Thailand, the Philippines, and India as well as in, Lubbock, Texas, Dayton, Ohio, and Mesa, Arizona.
Carl was a life-long learner and was a squadron leader during Vietnam where he taught new pilots how to fly. He had an aeronautic engineering degree from Laramie, Wyoming and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from Williams Air Force Base in Arizona.
He enjoyed playing his guitar and singing country and western music from before the 1970s and had the knowledge bank of a man with many degrees. After retiring from the Air Force, he sold real estate, worked in sales with a Chevrolet dealer, took a run with politics to try and influence a reduction in property taxes, and was a commercial pilot with Eastern Airlines.
Carl was preceded in death by his parents, Cyril & Dorothy Redding; his wife of 66 years, Jackqueline Dorothy Redding; his parents-in-law, Elmer & Evelyn Kuiper; a son, Brent Redding; and a brother-in-law, Dale Kuiper.
Surviving are his & Jackie’s son and daughter-in-law, Craig & Darlene Redding; and her five grandchildren, Mark, Melisa, Amanda, Courtland and Camron.
Visitation with the family is from 10-11 a.m. on Saturday, November 1, 2025 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 10700 Carson City Road (M-57), Greenville, where memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday.
To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Carl’s online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please visit: www.MichiganCremation.com
Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Greenville, 616-754-5638.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
511 S. Franklin Street, Greenville, MI 48838
People and places connected with Carl
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
Memories and Condolences
for Carl Redding
Tell your own story about Carl
Memories and condolences can be left on the obituary at the funeral home website.
How you can show support
Make a Donation
in Carl Redding's name
How to support Carl's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Carl Redding's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
