Reid L. Molleston, Lt. Col. USAF (Ret) of San Antonio, Texas, passed away on
December 4, 2020. He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy, infant son Philip,
and his brother Gene Molleston. Reid is survived by his daughters Linda McKinney and
Julie Molleston, his son John Molleston, and his brother Robert Molleston.
Reid was born on June 1, 1922 in Lineville, Iowa, the son of Paul and Hazel Molleston.
After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in July, 1940 and saw
action in Italy and North Africa during World War II. He married Dorothy Linville, the
love of his life, on May 3, 1942 and they celebrated seventy-six anniversaries together
until her passing in 2018.
He was released from active duty during the demobilization in 1945 and was recalled to
duty in 1953 as an officer in the United States Air Force. His service in the USAF would
be continuous for the next twenty-eight years. Reid served his country in war for a
second time in the Korean War in 1955-56. He served his country in war again in
Vietnam in 1972-73, and was awarded the Bronze Star for his service. During his
military service, the Molleston family followed Reid to numerous posts across the
country and overseas, gaining invaluable exposure to different parts of the United
States and to different cultures abroad. Reid retired from the USAF in 1975 as a highly
decorated and respected Air Force officer.
After retirement from the military, Reid joined the staff at St. Luke’s Lutheran Hospital in
San Antonio for a ten-year stay as Director of Personnel. He retired in 1987, having
made many friends among the staff and after offering his help, assistance and expertise
to all those who needed it. Subsequent years were spent traveling the U.S. and the
world with his wife Dorothy, making friends wherever they went.
Reid loved to travel and was proud to claim that he had visited all 50 states and over 20
countries. He was curious about everything in the world around him and always up for
a new adventure. He enjoyed making people laugh, dancing a two step or jig, and
always tried to pick up the check! He was an officer, a gentleman and a gentle man.
He spent the last eleven years at Esplanade Gardens, a wonderful assisted living
community in Converse, Texas. He was befriended by the staff and was shown the
care and love that he had shown to others his entire life.
There is a huge hole left by Reid’s passing that we hope will be filled by the fond
memories of those who knew him and loved him, and by the love, kindness and honor
that Reid always exhibited.
The family would like to thank the staff at Methodist Hospital Northeast and Kindred
Hospice. And the family can never thank enough the wonderful and caring staff at
Esplanade Gardens for eleven years of compassion, care and love.
A memorial graveside service with full military honors will be conducted at Ft. Sam
Houston National Cemetery at a time to be announced.
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