Dr. Reed R. Blaisdell, DDS, 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 I-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, TX 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, FL 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 USS Randolph at Letye Gulf in the Philippine Islands. The USS Randolph was part of the US 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, I in 1949.

Reed married Shelba Ann Harris of Malad, ID in June, 1947 in the Logan, Utah Temple. Their eldest son, Lynn, was born October 30, 1948 in Salt Lake City, UT. 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, ID where he set up his dental practice and welcomed their third son, Mark, on June 23, 1953 in Boise, ID.

Reed enjoyed such hobbies as golfing, fishing, hunting and flying. He continued to fly until 1983. He was a faithful member of the LDS Church, where he served as scout master for eight 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, AZ in April, 1989. They divided their time between Caldwell, Id and Mesa, AZ. In September, 2001, Reed and Aileen sold the family home in Caldwell and purchased a condominium in Perry, UT. This marriage brought two devoted step sons, Robert D. Atwood of Logan, UT and Charles Thomas Atwood of Mt. Vernon, WA. 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, I; John (Carol) Blaisdell, Caldwell, ID; Mark (Debra) Blaisdell, Bountiful, UT; stepsons, Robert D. (Gladys Ann) Atwood, Charles Thomas (Judy) Atwood, Mt. Vernon, WA; 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.

Services will be held at the Caldwell LDS 3rd Ward Chapel, Montana Ustik at 12:00 p.m., April 14, 2012.