Gene Jackson Redman

Parents Oscar William Redman and Ima Dot Redman joyfully welcomed their only child, Gene, into the world, on January 13, 1932, in Harrisburg, PA. Raised in Guthrie Oklahoma, later attending Capitol Hill High School in Oklahoma City, where he participated in ROTC. Immediately after graduation, in June 1949, he enlisted in the US Marine Corps. Being that he was only 17 years old, his Dad co-signed for him.

He was appointed machine gunner, serving and surviving the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in North Korea. For his efforts, he received two purple hearts and sergeant stripes, along with bullet injuries and frost bite. He continued serving in an office setting where he finished his term with an additional 2 years in reserves for good measure.

Upon returning to the States Gene attended college, becoming a "Seismic Observer:" managing an Oil Exploration Field Crew for Continental Geophysical, out of Texas, exploring for oil in various Southwestern states. This is where he really learned his off-road driving. If he couldn't use his 2 1/2 ton two-wheel drive truck to lay out the 1/4-mile-long cables, then the entire crew was called in to accomplish the work by foot. Strongly motivated to accomplish the work with the truck, Gene added a few more dents to its undercarriage.

In 1951, Gene proposed to Alice Aldean Pryor of Yukon, OK, after dating for only 3 week. She said yes and they were wed 3 months later. The quick engagement led to speculation which was later proven incorrect.

Gene became a Claims Investigator for Liberty Mutual in Kansas City, MO. After six years he was transferred to Chicago in Administrative Management for the Midwest Division. He carried numerous responsibilities throughout the Division: for telephone systems, office leases, including office moves and planning space layouts. This also included managing a 300+ company owned car fleet in the 11-state area. He established a monthly newsletter called “You Auto Know."

In 1959 Gene and Aldean welcomed the arrival of their first-born child, Kathleen. Following close behind was Sherry born in 1960, then Stephen in 1961. Being that both parents were raised as only children, Gene felt sibling playmates were very important.

In 1972 Gene accepted a job with Walsh Brothers Office Furniture, in the Valley of the Sun. No more shoveling snow or cold weather. At the advice of owner Tim Walsh, a home with a swimming pool was purchased, much to his children’s delight.

While Gene was working for Walsh Bros, he became a $1,000.000.00 a year salesman, in Commercial Sales and Office Space Planning.

In the early 1990s when the Internet was new, Gene returned to school, learning computers and digital photography. Thus, he began designing his first of several commercial websites for some of the groups he was involved with.

Gene also became a Certified Rescue Climber with the Central Arizona Mountain Rescue Association (CAMRA) participating 12 years, and later with the MCSO Jeep Posse for 20 years, where he also became a webmaster. Gene eventually became a Certified Reserve Deputy with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, where he spent much of his time. He later grew to enjoy assignments on Lake Patrol and the Special Enforcement Team.

Gene’s talents for creating websites eventually lead him home to where his wife, Aldean, assisting her aging mother would seek out specialty elder care products. Neighbors and friends soon began requesting these unique products.

Recognizing a need, Gene and Aldean founded “Independent Living Products” with Gene creating the website.

At the age of 103, Aldean’s mother passed on. The business was sold and renamed, “Active Forever” which has now grown into a very large company. With the sale, they purchased a 32-foot motorhome where they spent long summers traveling throughout the states and eventually volunteering at Oregon State Parks, where they also worked as docents in an Oregon Lighthouse.

5 years later, in 2008, Gene lost his devoted wife of 50 years leaving him a Bachler in his late 70’s. This proved to be a very difficult transition.

In 2011, Gene was honored by The Republic of South Korea, recognized on the 60th anniversary of the Korean War as one of 19 disabled veterans selected from the sixteen U.N. Countries who fought in the Korean war. Gene received an all-expense paid return trip to South Korea with his son Stephen. As one of the few Chosin Reservoir survivors they were lovingly labeled “The Frozen Chosin” and were honored at various celebrations in Seoul.

Gene is survived by his 3 children; Kathleen (Converti) Redman (Payson, Arizona), Sherry Redman (Tempe, Arizona) and son, Stephen Redman (Kingman Arizona). He also leaves behind 5 granddaughters (Kathleen’s girls) and 17 grandchildren. He will be greatly missed.

Eulogy by Pastor Jesse Clayclamp

When: Friday, Feb. 24th at 11:30 pm

Where: Cave Creek Place - 14850 N. Cave Creek Rd. Phx. AZ 85032.

Internment afterwards: Veteran's Memorial Cemetery in Phoenix Arizona.

Tributes by: VA and Arizona Sherriff’s Posse.

[email protected]

Facebook: GENE REDMAN

In lieu of flowers donation can be made in Gene's name to Disabled American Veterans https://www.dav.org/