Reid Paul Carleton

Reid was born January 03, 1935 in Kingsley, Michigan. He met and married his high school sweetheart, Eleanor Avery Jones in 1957 in Pensacola, Florida. Reid graduated from the Naval Post Graduate School, Monterey CA in 1959 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics. He went on to serve the United States Navy including 4 combat tours in Viet Nam as a Combat Search and Rescue helicopter pilot. He served with high distinction and was awarded numerous medals to include 1 Air Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Laos), Vietnam Service Medal with 4 Bronze Stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Air Gallantry Medal Gallantry Cross Medal with Palm and Joint Service Commendation Medal. His Naval Aviation career spanned 26 years until his retirement as a Commander in June of 1981at Naval Base Pt. Loma.

Upon retiring from the Navy he worked as the Computer Chief Scientist for REI and SAIC on numerous computer contracts for the Navy. Retirement was not a lifestyle which he was accustomed. He created a workshop out of his garage and was known around town as Grampa’s Workshop. He also stayed within the academic community with a teaching position at Grossmont College. He volunteered in the restoration of the USS Midway. Docents, tourists and restoration specialists will long remember his contribution to this monument. Equally as passionate was his time spent in his backyard gardening and cultivating his numerous tomato plants and assorted vegetables and fruits.

Reid is survived by his loving wife, Eleanor, of 55 years, four children, Reid Jr., Katherine Ronaele, Scott Avery, Lawrence Tilden, their spouses, 11 grand children and 3 great grand children.

A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, September 28, at Glen Abbey Memorial Park and Mortuary, 3838 Bonita Road, Bonita, California 91902. Reverend Richard Kuhn will be officiating with interment to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations will be graciously accepted for the USS Midway, Wounded Warrior Project/ Wheel Chair and the American Cancer Society.