Don Reddish passed away peacefully and quietly at his home in Holladay, Utah on Saturday March 11, 2023. Although waiting for his one hundredth birthday, he gracefully left us after 99 1/2 years. Don Beynon Reddish was born on the 27th of October, 1923 to C. Don Reddish and Phyllis Beck Reddish. Except for his tours of duty, Don lived most of his life in Holladay, Utah, living in the same home from age 12 until the day he passed.
Don attended Irving Junior High School (now Olympus Junior) and Granite High School, graduating in 1941. He then entered college at age 17 but his higher education was interrupted by Pearl Harbor and World War II. After serving, Don attended Amherst College in Massachusetts, Hendricks College in Arkansas, Utah State University, and the University of Utah where he received a degree in accounting. He was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity at both Amherst University and the University of Utah.
Don was inducted into the United States Army and was assigned to an infantry division. During his service he also received five semesters of university credit. After leaving the division he went to officer training school and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. Don finished his service in the Philippines but was called back into the military during the Korean War, serving in the 27th Infantry Regiment. In total he served 22 months, surviving combat in Korea where he received a Purple Heart, leaving the military as a Captain.
After Korea, Don completed school and went to work in the Athletic Department at the University of Utah where he worked as a coach and as an administrator. Appointed coach of the swimming team at the age of 24, he coached 42 teams, even with his leaves for his military service in Korea. During his coaching career the University of Utah won 19 conference championships. Don coached numerous All-Americans and was recognized as Coach of the Year six times in the Conference and three times in the NCAA region. He worked in the Athletic Department for a total of 49 years, coaching the swimming team with fierce passion for 42 years. During this time, he traveled with the swimming team to many parts of the world for competition and training. He loved teaching and traveling with his athletes, exposing them to the different landscapes and cultures around the world. Don conducted clinics for other swimming coaches and served for three terms on the NCAA rules committee, serving as chairman in his final term. He also conducted NCAA meets and served as president of the National Coaches Association and as a member of the Olympic Swim Committee. He loved every single moment of his coaching career. Don was also a lifetime member of the Fort Douglass Hidden Valley Country Club.
Don is preceded in death by his brothers Jack N. Reddish and Michael Reddish. He is survived by his nephews: Patrick Reddish (Gwen), Jonathan Reddish, Christopher Reddish (Merideth), C.D. Reddish, and his nieces: Mercedes Talbot (Stewart) and Cory Reddish. His grandnephews: Finn Reddish, Peyton Talbot, Beckham Talbot, and Madden Talbot. Oh how he loved his grandnephews!
In passing, Don had written something bringing tears to us all…”I would like to thank each and all of my nieces, nephews, and friends who have helped make my last years so enjoyable. One big thanks to all! Don.”
A celebration of life will be announced for later this spring and we hope to see you there!
I,come from hard working humble family of agriculture for are ouw consumption and survival without any usige of electrical items, my visions at night i saw my self flying over major cities far in distance.I never bean or saw what a city looks. Turning 15 of age a neighbor by the name Donaldo Carcamo ask me to follow him to a far noth Country U.S.A I left my native family, January 7th1990.Ours migration of 3moth, 2500 miles across 3 major countries. We cross the U.S.A junp to cargo train without any idea were, wore we heading to.Terrify to talk to the outside world we couldn't understand what was happening.Finally the frozen metal of 2days and nights. March 27th 1990. We wore to sick and I'll, exposed to extreme Hot & frozen weather throughout ours long journey, disoriented,the need of water medical doctor, shellter. Got worse
I jose a mynor of 15 years of age I was prohibited the help to stay at any state, government facility or shelter.I was living under the old overpass pioneer park freeway to seek protection and worth doring winter weather of Salt Lake city, Utah. April of 1990. We meet Don B Reddish looking for people to work at his property, City Holliday. My first meal in a can Hornell-Chilly beans and French bread, I thought was the most delicious and amazing thing to me. Throw the years we committed with signs, pen-payper a good old Webster dictionary. Thats how my friendships over 33 years has lasted till hiss passing. I MISS YOU SO MUCH Don B Reddish.. LOVE♡♡Isy your most humble of friends Jose.♡♡♡♡
Rest in peace my friend, God Bless!
