Arthur O. Reddish, Jr.

Funeral Services for Arthur O. "Art" Reddish, Jr. will be held on Tuesday, February 10, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Holdrege, Nebraska with Reverend Jeff Adams and Pastor Murray Jones officiating. Interment with Military Honors will be held on Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at 11:30 a.m. at the Lincoln Memorial Cemetery in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Arthur Orville Reddish, Jr., 84 years of age, of Holdrege (formerly of Lincoln, Nebraska) passed away on Friday, February 6, 2015 at his home in Holdrege. He was born January 12, 1931 in Lincoln, the eldest of four children born to Arthur O. Reddish Sr. and Lorine (Giles) Reddish. Art received his education from Rokeby High School, south of Lincoln, graduating with the class of 1949. His graduating class of three students was the last class to graduate prior to the closing of the school.

On March 28, 1951 he was inducted into the United States Army. Art took Basic Training in Fort Leavenworth, MO and was deployed to Korea from Seattle, WA. He served two years in the Army Combat Engineering Division, operating a D-8 Caterpillar to build a runway for P51 planes and a dam for water on Prisoner Island. Construction was limited by ocean tides and -35 degree temperatures during the winter. He was honorably discharged on January 24, 1953 and returned home to Lincoln.

Following his service, Art and a military friend, Gordon Green started the Nebraska Korean Veterans Reunion open to all branches of service and all 50 states and Canada. The group met yearly for 25 years providing comradeship and support to veterans.

On December 31, 1949 Art was united in marriage to LaVaugn Krull and to this union one son, Arthur Reddish III was born on July 30, 1967. The family made their home in Lincoln. Art farmed and worked for the Burlington Railroad. During his career he built grain elevators all over the country from New York to the Gulf of Mexico. Art's engineering skills made him a successful businessman as owner of Interstate Metal Products and later for ADM, specializing in grain handling and milling equipment. Never afraid to tackle a project, big or small, Art was a man of action and innovation. It seemed he could turn the most damaged piece of furniture or metal object to its original or even better condition.

His passion for cars and machines connected him with a variety of car clubs that included: Heartland Cruisers in Holdrege and the Plymouth Owners Car Club. In his younger years, Art also enjoyed racing motorcycles and cars. Many lifelong friendship bonds were formed during these years.

He loved people and never met a stranger. He was active member of several service organizations including: Kiwanis Club, Shriners International, the American Legion and the Salvation Army. He could be seen driving in parades, ringing bells, building playgrounds, preparing for demolition derby tracks or helping with pancake feeds.

On April 1, 1998 he was united in marriage to Carolyn Nelson at Greasewood Flats, Arizona and the couple began making their home in Holdrege. They shared similar interests and friends. Carolyn expanded his collecting interests from cars to everything from pottery to oil cans. They have continued collecting antiques, cars and great friends.

Besides his parents; Art was preceded in death by his first wife, LaVaugn on September 21, 1997; brother, Gary Reddish and sister, Jan Hatterman.

Art is survived by his wife, Carolyn (Nelson) Reddish of Holdrege; his son, Arthur Reddish III of Lincoln; one brother, Richard "Dick" Reddish and his wife, Phyllis of Anaheim, California; Carolyn's family: Virginia (Payne) Moon of Omaha, Nebraska, Naomi (Payne) Warner and her husband, Jerry of Omaha, Janet (Nelson) Blauvelt of Hastings, Nebraska, Jim Nelson of Kansas and Joyce Nelson of Lincoln; and a host of grandchildren; other relatives and many friends.

Visitation will be held in Holdrege on Monday, February 9, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home. An additional visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 11, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at the Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home in Lincoln prior to the graveside service at 11:30 a.m.

A memorial has been established in Art's honor and kindly suggested to the First United Methodist Church of Holdrege, the Nebraska Prairie Museum, or the Kiwanis Club of Holdrege.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is handling arrangements for the family.