Donald Edward Reddy

Donald Edward Reddy, age 71, passed away peacefully at Stanford Medical Center in Palo Alto, California following an unexpected, sudden illness.

Donald was born in Graceville, MN, the firstborn child of Edward Reddy and Kathleen (Whaley) Reddy. He lived briefly in Graceville, MN, Wheaton, MN, and Herman, MN. His parents then moved to Breckenridge, MN, in 1960 where he grew up. He graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1970 and later, he briefly attended North Dakota State School of Science. In 1973, Don entered Military Service joining the Army.  He attended basic training in Fort Leonard Wood Missouri (or as he said Fort Misery in the woods!) Don spent time in Germany, Panama, and other stateside army bases.  While stationed in Kansas he met the love of his life, Judy Choe Ford. She had a beautiful daughter, Anitra, who became part of the family as Don and Judy were married on 6/12/1978. The family grew and was blessed with a daughter, Melissa, in 1982 and son, Sean, in 1985.  

Don was honorably discharged from the Army in 1985 and successfully attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. He returned to Minnesota after his discharge from the service and then decided to move his family to California. Don did a variety of work such as house painting, real estate, before deciding to return to school.  He became a heating and refrigeration technician and worked for BOC, an industrial gas company, for 20 years before retiring in 2010.   

Don was an avid sports fan and over the last 15 years followed the NDSU Bison with his sisters.  He enjoyed cars and pickup trucks- the newer, the better.  He had a red Camaro after high school which was a prized possession.  Later in retirement, he had a red Corvette. He always kept his vehicles spotless as his dad had taught him.  He was not a gardener but gladly helped his wife set up gardens so she could grow her Asian fruits and vegetables. He loved his family deeply and always wanted the best for his children. He was blessed to know and love his granddaughter, Sofia since her birth in 2020. They had a very special bond; he was her beloved “Papa.” They would FaceTime every weekend; there was no starting his evening meal until he had his call from Sofia.

Don is survived by his wife of 45 years, Judy Reddy. He leaves behind his children, Anitra Ford, Melissa Reddy McManus (Billy), and their children, Jessica and Sofia, and Sean Reddy; mother, Kathleen Reddy; brother, Thomas (Darlene) Reddy; sisters, Helen Reddy, Linda Reddy, Carol (Lily Olpindo) Reddy, and Mary (Jeff) Muehler; nephew, Chad Reddy; nieces, Nicole Reddy, Sierra Hanson, and Jennifer Reddy. He is also survived by great-nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, and numerous cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father, Edward Reddy; grandparents, William and Vera Reddy, and Earl and Jane Whaley.

The funeral mass will be held 10:30 a.m., Saturday, October 14, 2023, with a visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Breckenridge. Father Leo Moenkedick will be officiating the service. Burial will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Breckenridge.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Joseph Vertin and Sons Funeral Home, Breckenridge.