Eldon Reyer

A great Ranger and an honored horseman took his final ride. Eldon Reyer passed on Monday, December 26th, 2022, he was 89. He passed peacefully surrounded by his horse, burro, daughters and family. His wife of 63 years, Karen Reyer and infant daughter, Brenda Danette, preceded him in death. He is survived by daughters Kareen Reyer-Martinez, Maureen Reyer-Morley and Aisha Iseghohimen, their spouses, seven grandchildren and two great grandsons and the many loved ones he assisted and taught from 40 years as a 4-H leader and his work with his wife at the Girls Ranch of NM. In true Reyer style, Christmas was for traditions and Eldon had a final goodbye from his bedside to his horse, Concho and donkey, Anjelito, a horseman's dream. Eldon passed in time to meet his bride and have a lovely waltz on their wedding anniversary in heaven.

Eldon was an Eagle Scout, Korean War Veteran, retired National Park Service Ranger, Farrier, blacksmith and cowboy poet while living a cowboy's dream. Eldon served in 9 National Parks over the 37 years, Yellowstone, Big Bend, Carlsbad Caverns, Grand Canyon, Canyonlands, Arches, Denali, Lake Powell with Rainbow Bridge, Battle of the Little Bighorn Monument, Washington D.C. Department of Interior, and the regional office in Santa Fe, NM. When he started his NPS career he was a fire guard and packer and spent weeks in the Yellowstone National Park back-country, his dreams had come true. Then he met the love of his life, his boss's daughter, Karen Garrison. They enjoyed 37 rich years in the NPS and lived in god's country while raising their daughters and riding so many miles of that country on horseback. His motto when he was in the Order of the Arrow was to "Protect God's Wonders for Posterity", which he did. One of Eldon's greatest achievements was to write the legislation to protect the Alaska wilderness with the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, protecting over a hundred million acres of Alaska wilderness for posterity.  

  For 40 years Eldon along with Karen were involved with many NM equine groups including the 4-H program, Northern New Mexico Horseman Assoc., Back Country Horsemen (a founding member), Northern New Mexican Trails Assoc., New Mexico Horse Council, New Mexico Mule and Donkey Assoc., Continental Divide Trail Coalition along with helping so many equine enthusiasts with their horses. Through the years, Eldon received numerous awards for his service to the horse community, including the National Back Country Horsemen Legacy Award, The American Horse Council's National Marjorie Van Ness Award for outstanding service to the horse industry, New Mexico Horse Council LifeTime Achievement Award along with Horse Person of the year. Eldon was instrumental in creating the Equine Long Range Disaster/Emergency Evacuation plan for Santa Fe and surrounding areas after the Cerro Grande fire.

Eldon was a man of few words but was truly held in high regard by all that knew and loved him. He lived the life he loved with his family, friends and so many four legged souls. He was blessed to ride some of God's greatest country with many wonderful companions. Eldon believed the most beautiful scenery was seen between his horse's ears. "The wind of heaven is that which blows through a horse's ears" - Anonymous

Military honors and celebration of life will be held at Rivera's Funeral and Cremation  417 Rodeo Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87505 - at 11:00 AM, February 19, 2023. The celebration will continue at the Santa Fe FairGrounds indoor exhibit hall at 1:00 to share stories and beloved memories. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to - Back Country Horsemen - P.O. Box 5708, Santa Fe, NM 87502. for more information - https://riverafamilyfuneralhome.com/obituaries/

Memorial Service: February 19th 2023 at 10:30 AM MST

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