Stuart Melvin Redditt

Dad's Eulogy
Stuart Melvin Redditt…..That's My Dad's name but everybody called him Stu except my brother Steve and I to us he was always Dad or Pop. It could have been Mel short for Melvin like dads name sake my cousin or sometimes it was Ferg, that was my uncle Randy's Nick name for him oh yeah there was also Poppy which all the grandkids called him yup they called him Poppy and mom Nana although mom always got top billing as in we are going over to see Nana and Poppy……. it just rolls better. I think dad got off pretty good compared to some of the other names in the family lets take my Grandfather (we called him Grampy) his name was Cyril Lycurgas Redditt…. seriously Lycurgas??? Well that was his father John's middle name. But it was like he wanted to pass on some of that good fortune so they named their kids Helen LaDean, Tessa-Lee who has a first name so bad she wouldn't tell me until I googled it yesterday and now I know Aunt Tess….. Then there was Conrad Leon and finally 6 foot 6 Big Stu or as dad would say 5'18". When the Redditt siblings started having children things seemed to get back to some kind of normalcy. My Cousins on Dad's Side are Debbie, Tracy, Mel (passed), Pam, Doug, Don( also left us), Terri, Alvin and Carla. OK since I've started naming off everybody, here are all of Poppy's grandkids; Stephany, Stuart, Shaun, Brittney, Mirrissa, Kahlae, and by marriage Kevin, Kyle, Kristie, Erin and Nick. Thanks to my brother and I Dad also had some pretty cool Daughters In-law Suzy – Shannette – Terri – Teresa (Steve's widow) - Beckie and my wife Robyn. My Mom had a couple of brothers and they were as close to Dad as a brothers in-law could ever be you could almost say he was father like to them. They were Mom's oldest brother Norman but we called him Sony who has passed, Lynn (Doug), Willy (Rita), Randy, David and Kevin (Rene). I could go on listing names but let's get to Stu. He was born in the city of Festus in Jefferson County Missouri. Festus is in the central eastern border of Missouri about 5 miles away from the Mississippi River 50 miles south of St. Louis. But Dad never had a chance to become a Mizourin since the Redditt Clan decided to move west to California. So Dad grew up in good ol' Southern California. Most of that time was in LaPuente, Baldwin Park and for the last 43 years in West Covina. Dad went to Basset Elementary and graduated from El Monte High School in 1959. He enlisted in the Army then he was married to Gwendolyn Jean Johnson (Jeanie) on February 6, 1962 -Mom Passed on December 14th, 2004 . They had their first son (Stuart Mark) on October 1st 1962 and had his second son Stephen Anthony on July 13 1965 – My little brother passed on September 17, 2008. Dad was honorably discharged after his stent as a medic in Korea on October 31, 1967. Yes a medic an honorable MOS (that is Military Occupational Specialist). But Originally Dad went into the service through the buddy system. Now I might get some of this wrong but here goes anyway. Dad enlisted with his friends Julius Otto and Jim Leak. They all started in Jump School heading towards Special forces (Green Berets) Now remember dad was six six you would thing being that tall would offset any issues with heights one might have, but it didn't so instead of jumping out of perfectly good airplanes he decided it would be better to help save lives. We settled in West Covina and he landed a job with Chippers Nut hut and then worked the majority of his career with Frito-Lay needless to say the Redditt household always had snacks. My favorite story Dad used to tell about me was when I was about 6 years old I was trying to help with the laundry and was loading the dryer but I couldn't close the door, after pushing and pushing…. the door would not close dad looked down and saw there was something sticking out keeping the door from closing. He looked at me and said Mark use your head. I then proceeded to push the door shut with my big head; needless to say it still wasn't working which confused me since dad was practically bent over laughing at his dense but entertaining son.
I have more stories but time is limited and I wish Steve were here to tell you some other stories.


Dad had friends and loved ones that will miss him dearly especially his grand kids, nephews and nieces.

But the last couple of years Dad was not his happy jovial self, the guy that would joke and laugh with you
He withdrew and was getting ready for his next journey, the Journey that would take him home to be with the one he loved the most Jesus Christ; It is so comforting that I have no doubt whatsoever that my father is with our Father because he walked with the Lord.
My son Nick gave me this …… He was our provider our rock, and a dad to everyone. He was there when you needed him and still there when you didn't.

Dad you had a great life yes it had its ups and downs as we all do but you were truly a great man you taught not only me and Steve but many of the men in our family how to be a wonderful father and a loving husband. I know you are happy now with Mom Steve my grandparents your brother your nephews and your precious little great grand daughter Sarah. We will see you again…….God Bless