Ronald Reagan
February 6, 1911 - June 5, 2004
Obituary
Ronald Reagan
At the end of his two terms in office, Ronald Reagan viewed with satisfaction the achievements of his innovative program known as the Reagan Revolution, which aimed to reinvigorate the American people and reduce their reliance upon Government. He felt he had fulfilled his campaign pledge of 1980 to restore ”the great, confident roar of American progress and growth and optimism.”
On February 6, 1911, Ronald Wilson Reagan was born to Nelle and John Reagan in Tampico, Illinois. He attended high school in nearby Dixon and then worked his way through Eureka College. There, he studied economics and sociology, played on the football team, and acted in school plays. Upon graduation, he became a radio sports announcer. A screen test in 1937 won him a contract in Hollywood. During the next two decades he appeared in 53 films.
From his first marriage to actress Jane Wyman, he had two children, Maureen and Michael. Maureen passed away in 2001. In 1952 he married Nancy Davis, who was also an actress, and they had two children, Patricia Ann and Ronald Prescott.
As president of the Screen Actors Guild, Reagan became embroiled in disputes over the issue of Communism in the film industry; his political views shifted from liberal to conservative. He toured the country as a television host, becoming a spokesman for conservatism. In 1966 he was elected Governor of California by a margin of a million votes; he was re-elected in 1970.
Ronald Reagan won the Republican Presidential nomination in 1980 and chose as his running mate former Texas Congressman and United Nations Ambassador George Bush. Voters troubled by inflation and by the year-long confinement of Americans in Iran swept the Republican ticket into office. Reagan won 489 electoral votes to 49 for President Jimmy Carter.
On January 20, 1981, Reagan took office. Only 69 days later he was shot by a would-be assassin, but quickly recovered and returned to duty. His grace and wit during the dangerous incident caused his popularity to soar.
Dealing skillfully with Congress, Reagan obtained legislation to stimulate economic growth, curb inflation, increase employment, and strengthen national defense. He embarked upon a course of cutting taxes and Government expenditures, refusing to deviate from it when the strengthening of defense forces led to a large deficit.
A renewal of national self-confidence by 1984 helped Reagan and Bush win a second term with an unprecedented number of electoral votes. Their victory turned away Democratic challengers Walter F. Mondale and Geraldine Ferraro.
In 1986 Reagan obtained an overhaul of the income tax code, which eliminated many deductions and exempted millions of people with low incomes. At the end of his administration, the Nation was enjoying its longest recorded period of peacetime prosperity without recession or depression.
In foreign policy, Reagan sought to achieve ”peace through strength.” During his two terms he increased defense spending 35 percent, but sought to improve relations with the Soviet Union. In dramatic meetings with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, he negotiated a treaty that would eliminate intermediate-range nuclear missiles. Reagan declared war against international terrorism, sending American bombers against Libya after evidence came out that Libya was involved in an attack on American soldiers in a West Berlin nightclub.
By ordering naval escorts in the Persian Gulf, he maintained the free flow of oil during the Iran-Iraq war. In keeping with the Reagan Doctrine, he gave support to anti-Communist insurgencies in Central America, Asia, and Africa.
Overall, the Reagan years saw a restoration of prosperity, and the goal of peace through strength seemed to be within grasp.
Source: www.whitehouse.gov
ON-LINE GUESTBOOK
Please sign our on-line guest book or you may sign the official memorial guest book at www.ronaldreaganmemorial.com.
FUNERAL EVENTS
Funeral Events planned for the former President Reagan:
Note: All times are Pacific Standard Time
Monday, June 7
10 a.m.: Reagan family motorcade and hearse leave Santa Monica funeral home en route to Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
11 a.m.: Reagan family Private ceremony at library.
Noon: Reagan lies in repose at the library’s main lobby for public closed-casket visitation that continues through the night. Buses will transfer visitors from Moorpark College in nearby Moorpark.
Tuesday, June 8
6 p.m.: Lying in repose at library concludes.
Wednesday, June 9
8:30 a.m.: Reagan family motorcade departs presidential library en route to Naval Base Ventura County in Point Mugu.
9:30 a.m.: Aircraft departs Point Mugu for Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington, D.C.
2 p.m.: Aircraft arrives at Andrews Air Force Base.
3 p.m.: Formal funeral procession to U.S. Capitol, with casket transfer onto horse-drawn caisson at 1600 Constitution Avenue, an open area near the White House and the Washington Monument.
4 p.m.: State funeral in Capitol Rotunda.
5:30 p.m.: Lying in state begins in Capitol Rotunda and continues through the night.
Thursday, June 10
All day: Lying in state continues for 24 hours in Capitol Rotunda.
Friday, June 11
7:45 a.m.: Motorcade departs U.S. Capitol.
8:30 a.m.: National funeral at Washington National Cathedral.
10:45 a.m.: Motorcade departs Washington National Cathedral.
11:45 a.m.: Aircraft departs Andrews Air Force Base.
4:45 p.m.: Aircraft arrives at Naval Base Ventura County – Point Mugu.
6 p.m.: Motorcade arrives at presidential library.
6:15 p.m.: Private interment service at presidential library.
7:30 p.m.: interment ceremony concludes.
Source: Joanne Drake, Office of Ronald Reagan
– The Associated Press
We will miss you. You were a wonderful President and a Great Man.
Thank you for so many gifts, especially by your example of the true meaning of love for one another, for our great country and for God our heavenly Father.
My deepest sympathy to Nancy & the Reagan family. Ronald Reagan will truly be missed and will be remembered as one of the greatest presidents!
God Bless
I to share my condolences with Mrs. Regan, I give my deepest sympathies.
Barb
Praise the Lord Jesus Christ we all can rest asure that Mr.Ronald Reagan a.k.a Mr. President is with our Lord Jesus Christ and one day we will see him again as his sisters and brothers in Christ.
We love you Mrs. Nancy Reagan a.k.a Mrs. President and our prayers are with you and your family.
As a citizen, I salute you.
As a teacher, I thank you.
As a Republican, I hope that others will hold up your high ideals.
As an American, I wish others would act as you have.
As a daughter with a WWII pilot/father with Alzheimers disease, I know what a challenge it is.
Thank you for everything you have done for us.
Our deepest sympathies to the Reagan family. Our hearts go out to all of you.
I share my condolences with the Regan family. I will always remember his jar of jelly beans on his desk.
We are thankful for President Reagan’s leadership and strong Christian witness.
We send our sincere condolences to Mrs. Reagan.
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. May you find peace in knowing his suffering is over and the healing may begin. God bless.
Our thoughts and Prayers go out to the family, and the Nation he loved and served so well.
I grew up in Iowa,and was a young teenager when “Dutch” first came to Des Moines at WHO radio station. He was dearly loved by everyone in Iowa. Barbara Smith
My husband and I would like to send our condolences to Mrs. Reagan and family.
Carol
Ronald Reagan was the 1st presidential vote I cast at the age of 19. I didn’t always agree with his policies, but rarely doubted his sincerity or his character. I have not voted for another Republican president since he left office and doubt if I will anytime soon. My deepest sympathies to his friends and family…he was truly one of a kind!
To Nancy and the family,
I was touched deeply by the service in DC. and buriel. The Lord Jesus Christ was glorified throughout Ronald Reagan’s Life. What a tribute to his life. It was so moving and encouraging to hear about his faith and wonderful life of love he shared with all of you.. Marilyn R. Holms
President Reagan did so many good things while in office but I do beleave he helped American’s beleave in themselves again. He was the first President I ever voted for I became of voting age his first term in office and I voted for him his second and never had any regrets.
To the family, I’m very sorry for your lose. I have a family member with the same disease and I feel for you and have since I found out about the President’s illness.
He was a great man and he is with God now.
Dear Mr. Reagan:
Thank you for ending the Cold War and for liberating the people of Eastern Europe. We are eternally grateful to you, because without you, our liberty would have been delayed for decades.
Be that Our Lord will keep your soul in peace, in His hands.
Dear Ms. Nancy Reagan: thank you for the valiant stature of a woman who loved her man above everything on this Earth. Your courage is more than inspiring: it is sublime.
Thank you from our hearts, Lucy and Vio.
Our thoughts are with the Reagan family. Ronald was an outstanding President and an outstanding man.
Gordon & Shirley Barnes
Thank you so much Mr. President, Mrs Nancy Reagan, and all the family members. We are forever grateful for what you have done as a President and as a person to serve this country. You will be greatly honored in our family’s hearts.
Love,
Tom, Reed, & Diamond Trinh
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family
Second Corithians 1: 3-7
God bless Nancy and the family.
He was a smooth talker.
May God bless Nancy & Ronald Reagan & may God bless America.
Although I never knew Mr. Regan, I always thought of him as a very kind and decent human being. People like Ronald Regan were part of a vanishing breed of people.
I send my deepest sympathy to the family.
Sincerely,
Nancy Holdaas
Seattle WA
How blessed we all were to have had such a man in our presence. Thank you dear Reagan family for sharing your beloved Ronald with all of us, and the world. And thank you for sharing the celebration of his life and accomplishments.
Blessings to the family of the first president I was priveledged to vote for.
HE IS IN A BETTER PLACE.HE IS AT HOME WITH OUR FATHER.RIP MR.REAGAN YOU WERE A AWESOME MAN.GOD IS LUCKY TO HAVE YOU HOME.
A President who stuck
by his principles and
served with integrity.
Nancy, you have been a very strong woman throughout this ordeal and we would like to thank you for showing the world what a strong and courageous woman you are.
A Great President
One of Our Great Presidents
Ronald Reagan brougt dignity to our country. He was an exceptional man. May God bless and care for Nancy and their family.
To Ronald Reagan’s family – cherish your memories.
We extend our deepest sympathy to Nancy and all of the Reagan family. Our country was fortunate to be blessed with such a courageous leader and extraordinary American. He shaped the policies of our country at home and abroad and left an indelible mark on US history.
If only we could have more Presidents like Reagan. I felt as though he and Nancy
were friends. Gods Peace!
My condolences to the family of one of our greatest presidents.
Thank you Mr. President and Good Night. Our heartfelt sypmathies to you-Mrs. Reagan.
You restored our faith in the United States of America by being a TRUE STATESMAN AND EXAMPLE
You were the BEST! The best in everything. You leave us with many good and wonderful memories.
His smile will continue in our hearts and minds. I’m sure we’ll see him again someday in the shining city.
HATE TO SEE YOU GO BUT FIND COMFORT IN KNOWING YOUR IN A GOOD PLACE AND WE WILL ALL BE TOGETHER AGAIN SOON!!!!!!
To the family of Ronald Reagan,
The United States of America is truly a better place because of our 40th President, Ronald Reagan. His legacy lives on and inspires others who want to make the world a better place. I would like to offer my sincere condolences for the loss of your husband, father and leader of our country.
SueAnn Bohlin
For many Americans living when Ronald Reagan was President of the United States, there was no fear.
Thank you for that and all the many great things you did for the USA and the WORLD, Mr. President!
Ronald Reagan will be greatly missed by all of us.. Rest in Peace …
The President’s love for life,his compassionte ways,and his working to end the Cold War and lay the foundation for friendship with Russia, these things I will always be glad and thankful for!
SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS MAY GOD BE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. LETS KEEP ALL IN PRAYER.
i FELL IN LOVE WITH RONALD REAGAN WHEN I SAW HIM IN “BROTHER RAT”. I am now 80 years old and still remember that movie.
President Reagan’s spirit and devotion to his country will be missed. We thank him for he did for all Americans.
Randy and Sheila James
One of our finest, if not the finest, American president of the 20th century! My sincere condolencies to the family.
President Reagen,rest in peace.To the Reagan Family,you’re in our thoughts and prayers