Arnold Edward “Ed” Reddish

Arnold Edward “Ed” Reddish, 88, of Nampa, Idaho, passed away peacefully on June 25, 2026, surrounded by his children. He leaves behind a remarkable legacy of faith, family, service, and compassionate care that touched thousands of lives throughout his 50-year career as a pharmacist.

Early Life

Ed was born on April 4, 1938, in Pocatello, Idaho, to Arnold Earnest Reddish and Eva Rose Nielsen Reddish. He was the second of four boys and shared a lifelong bond with his brothers.

When Ed was only ten years old, his father passed away. He often reflected that this profound loss drew the family closer together, teaching the brothers to care for one another and for their mother. Throughout his life, Ed faithfully maintained those close relationships, looking forward to regular phone calls with his brothers. One of the greatest blessings during his final days was the opportunity to spend time with his younger brothers, Alan and Brian, who traveled to visit him one last time.

From an early age, Ed learned the value of hard work. At just fourteen years old, he began delivering prescriptions by bicycle for Falwell Drug in Pocatello. It was there that one of the pharmacists recognized his potential and encouraged him to pursue pharmacy—a conversation that shaped the course of his life.

After graduating from high school, Ed enlisted in the Army National Guard to help pay for college while attending Idaho State University's College of Pharmacy. He often expressed gratitude that ISU offered a pharmacy program because it allowed him to remain close to his mother and brothers.

Marriage & Family

While attending Idaho State University, Ed met the love of his life, MaryLou Shupe.

They were married for time and all eternity in the Idaho Falls Temple on August 6, 1959, beginning a beautiful marriage centered on faith, love, and family.

After graduation, the young couple moved to La Grande, Oregon, where Ed accepted his first position with Glass Drug. Just three months later, he was called to active military service at Fort Lewis, Washington, serving at Madigan General Hospital.

Following his military service, Ed and MaryLou returned to La Grande, where they welcomed their daughter, Denise, and later their son, Kevin. In 1967, they settled permanently in Nampa, Idaho, where they raised their family. In 1975, they were blessed with an unexpected surprise when their youngest son, Lance, joined the family.

A Lifetime of Pharmacy

Pharmacy was far more than a profession—it was Ed's calling.

After working for several pharmacies in Nampa, he opened the original Reddish Pharmacy on the corner of 12th Avenue and Hawaii Avenue. A few years later, he partnered with another pharmacist and relocated across the street into the Saltzer Medical Clinic, where Mallea-Reddish Pharmacy was established. Eventually the pharmacy once again became Reddish Pharmacy, where Ed experienced one of the greatest joys of his career—working alongside his son Kevin for more than twenty years.

Later, his grandson also joined the pharmacy as an evening technician, making three generations of the Reddish family part of the business. Ed took enormous pride in seeing Kevin continue the family legacy, with the pharmacy remaining in the same location today.

Throughout more than 50 years as a pharmacist, Ed became known not only for his professional excellence but also for his genuine compassion. He loved his patients, treasured the friendships he built, and never minded receiving phone calls at home if someone needed help.

His dedication to the profession led him to serve in numerous leadership positions on both the state and national levels. Of all the honors he received, he was especially proud to receive the prestigious Bowl of Hygeia Award, recognizing outstanding community service by a pharmacist.

Faith & Service

Ed was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He served faithfully throughout his life in numerous callings, including bishoprics, the High Council, Young Men presidencies, and Sunday School presidencies.

His favorite calling was serving in the Boise Idaho Temple, particularly during the years when MaryLou was able to serve alongside him.

Ed possessed a deep testimony of Jesus Christ and sincerely sought to pattern his life after the Savior's example of loving and serving others.

Family First

Although pharmacy was his profession, family was always his greatest priority.

He loved fishing and golfing with his sons, lunch dates and pedicures with his daughter Denise, Christmas shopping with his daughters-in-law, and cruising with MaryLou.

One of the family's greatest traditions began when Ed purchased a McCall timeshare the year his first grandchild was born. That annual family week quickly became one of the highlights of every year, creating decades of cherished memories.

Ed adored being a grandfather. He faithfully attended his grandchildren's sporting events, performances, and activities, traveling wherever necessary to support them. If he couldn't attend, he eagerly waited by the phone for a full report.

As his family continued to grow, becoming a great-grandfather brought him even greater joy. He proudly told anyone who would listen about his nine grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren, and the two more who were expected later that year.

His family loved hearing him tell those stories just as much as he loved telling them.

Survivors

Ed is survived by his children, Denise (Jay) Reiss, Kevin (Adete) Reddish, and Lance (Terra) Reddish; his grandchildren Danielle (Dustin) Reese, Kolby (Cami) Reddish, Kyndra (Kirk) Lewis, Kynlee (Matt) Little, Kameron (Sharon) Reddish, Brooklin (Beau) Thueson, Brenna (Bradon) Ruesink, Kason (Afton) Reddish, and Rigdon (Kylen) Reddish; his beloved great-grandchildren; his brothers Alan (Martha) Reddish and Brian (Michelle) Reddish; and his sister-in-law, MaryAnn Reddish.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, MaryLou Reddish; his parents, Arnold and Eva Reddish; his brother, Bob Reddish; his sister-in-law, Joan Shupe Lewis; his father-in-law, Cyril Shupe; and his mother-in-law, Victoria Josephine Cazajous Shupe.

A Lasting Legacy

Ed lived a life defined by compassion, integrity, faith, and quiet service.

Whether caring for a patient, serving in his church, supporting his grandchildren, or simply answering one more phone call from someone in need, he consistently placed others before himself.

His legacy lives on in the family he cherished, the pharmacy he built, the countless patients he served, and the example of Christlike love he demonstrated every day of his life.

Funeral Services

Viewing
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Zeyer Funeral Chapel
83 N. Midland Blvd.
Nampa, Idaho

Viewing
Thursday, July 9, 2026
11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
927 Ruth Lane
Nampa, Idaho 83686

Funeral Service
Thursday, July 9, 2026
1:00 p.m.

Interment
Hillcrest Memorial Gardens
Caldwell, Idaho

Livestream
https://inmemorial.us/live/zeyer-one