David Foutz Reeder

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved husband and father, David Foutz Reeder, who died in his home, surrounded by his loving wife and daughters on April 14, 2025, after a courageous battle with a rare neurological disease. His life was rich with unwavering love, kindness and service to all he met. David’s kind and gentle heart is his lasting legacy – a heart that beat for his family and a love, and devotion that he gave to his Savior Jesus Christ.

David was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho, the fourth of five children, to Seth Darrell Reeder and Mary Lou Foutz Reeder on June 27, 1961. David cherished his family and the memories they made together, whether it was spending time at their family cabin in Island Park, getting together for family reunions and events, hiking, backpacking and fishing trips with his friends, and later sharing that same love with his daughters, taking them on many fun adventures. His mother taught him the love of art, cooking, sewing, family history and all kinds of crafts. His father taught him about photography, coin and stamp collecting, and all things science related. He was taught at a young age to be resourceful and industrious. David was a hard worker and was always working or helping someone on a project, taking goodies and treats to family and friends, he loved doing family history and being able to spend time in the temple with his family doing their work for them.

David attended schools in the Idaho Falls area and is a 1980 Skyline High School graduate. Shortly after graduation, he served a full-time mission to the Brussels, Belgium Mission. He spent most of his mission in France and the last two months of his mission in Belgium. During the later part of David’s mission, the brethren in Salt Lake changed missions from two years to 18 months. This change allowed David the opportunity to stay in Belgium the last 2 months of his mission or return home and begin college. David developed a deep and abiding love for the people of both France and Belgium. He had many beautiful and spiritual experiences that helped to enrich his life even more.

He began his higher education at Ricks College and The University of Idaho, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology in 2003. He worked hard earning that degree while working full-time, raising a family, taking night classes and fulfilling his calling as an Elders Quorum President. During this busy time of life, David made his family and church callings his priority, and because of that he and his family received many blessings.

David began his professional career at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory. He worked for 40 years at the INL; first at Exxon as an Engineering Aid in 1983. He then worked his way up after finishing his degree, and his last job was as an Experiment Engineer- ESAP Author for Battelle Energy Alliance. He retired January 31, 2024. He was so excited to begin this next chapter of his life, only to have his plans sabotaged by the devastating news that he had a very rare, incurable disease a few shorts months after his wife had lung cancer surgery in June 2024.

In September of 1989, David met the love of his life, through the help of his Bishop and his Bishop’s wife, who set David up on a blind date with a mutual friend of theirs. Her name was Susan Driggs. Between many dates and talks on the phone, their relationship blossomed and they were engaged by the end of October and married for time and all eternity, in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple on January 26, 1990. Three beautiful daughters were born to this union. Their first born was Meghan, followed by Erika, then Jenna. His family was David’s biggest blessing and delight! He loved teaching his girl’s new things, taking them on many adventures, and supporting them in all of their activities. He loved telling them that, “everything is awesome when your part of a team”. He wanted his family to be the team who supported and loved each other unconditionally!

He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as Elders Quorum President, ministering brother, in several Bishoprics as ward executive secretary, ward and membership clerks and in several Sunday School Presidency’s. No matter how big or small his calling, he always magnified them and willingly served wherever he was asked to serve.

David is survived by his loving wife, Susan; daughters, Meghan, Erika, and Jenna; his brother, Daniel Reeder (Inez), Tom Reeder (Kim), sister, Nancy Weber (Doug); sister-in-law, Sherry Reeder; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; and brother, John Reeder.

We will miss his sense of humor, his midnight snacks, his hugs, his love of life, seeing him with his crow caller and flying his drone, his love for his chickens, his cooking, his dimples and smile, but most of all his gentle love.

We would like to thank the numerous health care workers, family, friends, neighbors, and members of the Westhill Ward for all their loving help and service throughout his illness this past year.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Brentwood Ward, 2040 Brentwood. The family will visit with friends Friday from 6:30-8 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge, and Saturday from 10-10:45 a.m. prior at the church. Burial will be in the Driggs Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.woodfuneralhome.com.