Captain Don Redden has made his final departure. He died as he lived; calmly and peacefully. Survived by his companion of 13 years, Beth Bressette, daughter Debbi (Rod) Banzer, son Tom Redden, grandsons Rory (Chantel), Ryan (Kim) and Riley Banzer, great-granddaughter Brooklynn, brothers Lloyd (Shirley) and Grant (Joan) Redden. Predeceased by parents Harold and Ellen, son Allan, former wife Lana and sister Reta. Don was born in Lloydminster, and at 12 moved with his family to Quesnel. He married Lana Wilson in 1965 and moved his family to Prince George in the early 1970s to pursue his flying career. Natural skill and passion kept Don in the sky for 50 years, flying over 20,000 hours. Don joked that in his lifetime he went from driving horse and buggy on the farm to flying Lear Jets at 600 mph. Don’s flying career encompassed bush piloting, forest fire fighting, owning a small flying service, delivering steel for Arctic drill rigs, NT Air passenger runs, air ambulance flights and corporate flying (30 years with Northwood). He was remarkably innovative, creative and skilled in mechanics. Don loved playing guitar and was well known for his energetic flat-picking lead and steady rhythm. He loved jamming with friends, entertaining seniors, playing festivals and dances and going ‘on the road’ with his band, Sound of the North. A long-time member of BC Old Time Fiddlers, he taught himself to play fiddle in his late sixties. Don loved hiking, bicycle trips, kayaking, fishing, camping with friends, and watching the soaring eagles and loons from the deck of his beloved log home at West Lake.
Join us in a celebration of Don’s beautiful life
Sat. March 7 at 1 pm at Knox United Church, 1448 – 5th Ave, Prince George. Musical instruments and stories of Don encouraged!