PHILLIP GORDON REDD, beloved husband of Nedra Low passed away quickly and peacefully in Cardston on May 26, 2021 aged 91. Phil was the ninth child of William and Irene Redd born on April 1, 1930. Known throughout his life as a happy, cheerful person, it surprised many when Phil described himself as an unhappy boy from age 14 when his beloved father died until he married Nedra Low. In those years he did win basketball championships with the Raymond Comets and was a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in eastern Canada. At the University of Alberta, the first Sunday at church, he met Nedra Low. Their first date was Friday and within two weeks, they knew they were meant for each other. Thus began a beautiful love story and a much happier phase of life that lasted to his death.
Phil and Nedra were married in July 1953 and soon began learning that “…whom the Lord loveth, he chasteneth…” when baby David was diagnosed with polio at three months. Faith, prayers, family, gifted doctors and compassionate nurses supported the little family until David was released from the Children’s Hospital in Calgary to start grade one in Lethbridge. As their son was healed, Nedra became weaker with what doctors diagnosed as multiple sclerosis until she was paralyzed. Phil cared for Nedra, and their three children, until a second medical opinion revealed the true problem—a tumour adjacent to her brain stem that caused the paralysis. Faith in priesthood blessings, Christmas Eve surgery and a miraculous recovery resolved years of medical tribulations.
Service in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints began early and included a career teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ in seminary and institute classes. Phil began teaching an early morning seminary class in Edmonton as he finished his bachelor’s degree and became a full-time seminary teacher in Magrath the next year. Phil particularly enjoyed courses focused on Teachings of the Living Prophets, Eternal Marriage, and the Book of Mormon. In the early years teaching seminary Phil was grateful for tutoring from Boyd K. Packer and A. Theodore Tuttle who supervised all seminary and institute personnel. They emphasized teaching from the scriptures and he and Nedra committed to “follow the church leaders”. In 1982 Phil asked Nedra about moving to Hong Kong for three years. He had been requested to supervise seminary and institute across southeast Asia. Nedra replied, “We made the decision years ago to serve where we are called. This is just working out the details.”
Another challenging, rewarding experience was presiding over the Colorado-New Mexico mission for three years. Later, church leaders and members were taught and inspired as Phil served as a Regional Representative of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and as a patriarch. Retiring to Cardston they chose a home equidistant from the temple and the golf course. Temple service, golf and visits from family filled the retirement years. Phil and Nedra were proud that they could help raise funds for the Kearl library built in Cardston.
Nedra passed away in 2014, telling Phil, “Don’t stay too long!” Phil lived happily and optimistically in the “beautiful home that Nedra created”. Birthday cards and phone calls always included the message, “We love you” and “We are proud of you”, because Nedra remained close. When his health deteriorated so he couldn’t live alone, he realized that he is connected to Nedra, not the house, and he happily moved to Chinook Lodge. Cheerful to the very end, a few minutes before he died, he simply said he, “wasn’t up to snuff today”.
Phil is survived by his three children (David Redd, Jim Redd, and Marie Davidson), their spouses, fourteen grandchildren and their spouses, forty-one of forty two great grandchildren and his sister Barbara McPhee. He often said, “Family is what it’s all about.”
Friends may meet the family at Legacy Funeral Home, Cardston (107 6 St W) on Friday, June 4th from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
A Family Service will be on Saturday, June 5th at 2:00 p.m. To WATCH the service Online or to send condolences please visit www.legacyfuneralhome.ca
LEGACY FUNERAL HOMES LTD., CARDSTON Assisting the Family. Phone 403-653-3222.
Phil and Nedra were married in July 1953 and soon began learning that “…whom the Lord loveth, he chasteneth…” when baby David was diagnosed with polio at three months. Faith, prayers, family, gifted doctors and compassionate nurses supported the little family until David was released from the Children’s Hospital in Calgary to start grade one in Lethbridge. As their son was healed, Nedra became weaker with what doctors diagnosed as multiple sclerosis until she was paralyzed. Phil cared for Nedra, and their three children, until a second medical opinion revealed the true problem—a tumour adjacent to her brain stem that caused the paralysis. Faith in priesthood blessings, Christmas Eve surgery and a miraculous recovery resolved years of medical tribulations.
Service in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints began early and included a career teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ in seminary and institute classes. Phil began teaching an early morning seminary class in Edmonton as he finished his bachelor’s degree and became a full-time seminary teacher in Magrath the next year. Phil particularly enjoyed courses focused on Teachings of the Living Prophets, Eternal Marriage, and the Book of Mormon. In the early years teaching seminary Phil was grateful for tutoring from Boyd K. Packer and A. Theodore Tuttle who supervised all seminary and institute personnel. They emphasized teaching from the scriptures and he and Nedra committed to “follow the church leaders”. In 1982 Phil asked Nedra about moving to Hong Kong for three years. He had been requested to supervise seminary and institute across southeast Asia. Nedra replied, “We made the decision years ago to serve where we are called. This is just working out the details.”
Another challenging, rewarding experience was presiding over the Colorado-New Mexico mission for three years. Later, church leaders and members were taught and inspired as Phil served as a Regional Representative of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and as a patriarch. Retiring to Cardston they chose a home equidistant from the temple and the golf course. Temple service, golf and visits from family filled the retirement years. Phil and Nedra were proud that they could help raise funds for the Kearl library built in Cardston.
Nedra passed away in 2014, telling Phil, “Don’t stay too long!” Phil lived happily and optimistically in the “beautiful home that Nedra created”. Birthday cards and phone calls always included the message, “We love you” and “We are proud of you”, because Nedra remained close. When his health deteriorated so he couldn’t live alone, he realized that he is connected to Nedra, not the house, and he happily moved to Chinook Lodge. Cheerful to the very end, a few minutes before he died, he simply said he, “wasn’t up to snuff today”.
Phil is survived by his three children (David Redd, Jim Redd, and Marie Davidson), their spouses, fourteen grandchildren and their spouses, forty-one of forty two great grandchildren and his sister Barbara McPhee. He often said, “Family is what it’s all about.”
Friends may meet the family at Legacy Funeral Home, Cardston (107 6 St W) on Friday, June 4th from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
A Family Service will be on Saturday, June 5th at 2:00 p.m. To WATCH the service Online or to send condolences please visit www.legacyfuneralhome.ca
LEGACY FUNERAL HOMES LTD., CARDSTON Assisting the Family. Phone 403-653-3222.