REDMAN, Davey Horace

REDMAN, COLE, COOLEY

Posted By: Conni McDaniel Hall (email)
Date: 10/19/2022 at 12:19:51

Davey Horace Redman, age 79, of Leon, Iowa, the son of Horace Clair and Wanda Edith (Cole) Redman, was born February 1, 1943, at Osceola, Iowa. He left this life suddenly on Wednesday, August 24, 2022, from his home.

Davey grew up outside of Van Wert, Iowa on the family farm off road J-20. He was baptized into the Van Wert United Methodist Church and graduated from Van Wert High School in 1961. Afterwards he moved to the sand hills of Nebraska to be a ranch hand. In 1964, while working there, he received his draft notice. He served in the United States Army with the 1st Battalion of the 8th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division, one of the three airborne infantry battalions to first be deployed to Vietnam. His unit participated in the Battle of la Drang Valley, the first ground engagement and one of the most brutal battles of the war. Davey served as a forward observer for the artillery and spent most of his time with an infantry company. Although he seldom spoke of his combat experiences, he was very proud of his status as a paratrooper and as a member of the 1st Cavalry Division. After his honorable discharge on June 9, 1966, he returned home to the family farm to help out.

On February 17, 1968, Davey married Jane Ann Cooley. They purchased a farm and made their home north of Decatur, Iowa right by Interstate-35. They were blessed with three children, stillborn Ross David in January of 1970, then Chris and Sarah. After the children were grown Davey and Jane rented out the house and the land and moved into Leon. Davey still went to the farm everyday to take care of the renter’s cattle. He loved seeing the cattle and taking care of them.

Davey loved chocolate, in any form. He was a member of the Fabulous Five Coffee Club and the Leon Country Club. In earlier years, he served on the Decatur County Hospital Board. More recently, Davey enjoyed trips to Montana with friends to elk hunt.

Preceding him in death were his parents; and son, Ross. Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Jane Redman of Leon, Iowa; son, Chris Redman and wife, Karyn of Kissimmee, Florida; daughter, Sarah Middleton and husband, Todd of Shawnee, Kansas; granddaughters, Kaitlyn Morris and husband, Alexander and Emily Redman; great grandchildren, Brooks and Brantley Morris; brothers, Dick & Rhonda Redman of Pella, Iowa and Danny & Carolyn Redman of Burwell, Nebraska; nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at the Slade – O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, Iowa at 10 a.m. Tuesday, August 30, 2022, with Pastor Terry D. Roberts officiating. Burial will be in the Leon Cemetery, Leon, Iowa.
A memorial fund has been established by the Family.