Dr. Marvin James Reddick

Dr. Marvin James Reddick of Lake Wales, Florida died Sunday, October 31st at the age of 90. He died peacefully in his sleep in the presence of his family. He was a loyal and faithful husband and a loving and wise father who cherished his family and his home life.

Dr. Reddick was preceded in death by nine siblings and wife of twenty-seven years, Exie L. Reddick. He is survived by his wife of thirty-two years, Caroline Taylor Reddick, his brother Fred Reddick of Deland, FL, daughter, Susan R. Nelson of Coral Springs, FL and sons, Rev. M. James Reddick, Jr. of Lake Wales, FL and Dr. Steven D. Reddick of Babson Park, FL. He is also survived by his four step-children, Mary E. Hayes of Middleburg, VA, John R. Edwards of Lake Wales, Anna E. Lang of Hattiesburg, MS and Sarah E. Ellerbe of Clayton, NC. Dr. Reddick had five grandchildren, seven step-grandchildren, one step-great-grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews.

Dr. Reddick was born in Georgia moving to Avon Park, FL at age 5. After graduating Avon Park Senior High School, he served in the United States Air Force. He flew as a WWII 2nd Lieutenant Co-Pilot of a B-24J Liberator bomber plane in the European theater. During his term of service, his aircraft crash landed once in Ireland and was shot down by enemy anti-aircraft flak over Germany. He was captured in August 1944 spending nine months as a P.O.W. in the famed German Luftwaffe Stalag Luft III/Camp Sagan and was included in the famed winter death march covering 55 kilometers to Muskau in 27 hours with only 4 hours of sleep, an additional 25 kilometers to Spremberg, and then by train to a three month stay in Stalag 7A/Camp Moosburg. The camp was liberated by General George Patton's 14th Armored Division troops in April 1945.

When returned to the United States, Dr. Reddick exited military service and attended the University of Florida to obtain the prerequisites for dentistry, then graduated as an honor graduate from Emory University Dental School in Decatur, Georgia. In 1950 he opened his dental office in Lake Wales and established a successful forty-two year dental practice. During his long, productive life, Dr. Reddick served the community as president of the Lake Wales Kiwanis Club, president of the Lake Wales Chamber of Commerce, president of McLaughlin Middle School P.T.A., president of the Methodist Men's Association, member of the First United Methodist Church of Lake Wales and Bible study teacher for eleven years, longtime general member and board of directors member of the Lake Wales Country Club. A special highlight was Dr. Reddick's being the first Champion of the Lake Wales Literacy Council Spelling Circus in 2001; the winning word was "loquacious".

The family will be receiving friends at their home from 5:00 until 7:00 PM, Wednesday, November 3, 2010. The memorial service will be held 11:00 AM, Thursday, November 4, 2010 at the First United Methodist Church in Lake Wales with Rev. Jeffrey Kantz officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First United Methodist Church of Lake Wales (230 North 5th Street, Lake Wales, FL 33853) or the Lake Wales Care Center (140 East Park Avenue, Lake Wales, FL 33853).

To view the webcast of his service, please click link below:
http://webcasts.lifetributes.com/174019