Damon Lyell Rader, 91

October 3, 1932 - November 01, 2023

Lt. Colonel Damon Lyell Rader, of Pleasant View Communities, formerly of Wilmore KY, was Promoted to Glory at age 91 after a short illness, exacerbated by damage to his lungs from chaplaincy work at Ground Zero in the days immediately following 9/11.

Damon was born in New York in 1932 to Lyell Mayes and Gladys Damon Rader, Salvation Army officers. From an early age, Damon gave himself with all his heart and energy to God. He earned a BS in physics from Asbury College in Wilmore KY, and an MS in electrical engineering at Carnegie Tech in Pittsburgh. In 1959 he and his wife, as Salvation Army officers/missionaries, sailed to what is now Zimbabwe and Zambia for ten years of teaching, evangelism, and radio work.

Back in the USA in 1969 they were appointed to lead corps/churches in New York and New Jersey, then worked in youth and leadership development, officer training, spiritual life development, and pastoral care. They had a wholistic approach to ministry and family; all four children became missionaries. Damon was known for his integrity, preaching, and passionate prayer life. He received the Order of the Founder, The Salvation Army’s highest award, and Asbury’s “A” Award for alumni. He was connected to Zambia and to media ministry, and encouraged others for the Kingdom of God, throughout his life.

Damon was predeceased by his wife June nee Dearin of Pottsville PA, his sister Jeanne Gabrielsen of Greenfield IN and his brother Lyell of Bethlehem PA. He is survived by brothers Paul of Lexington KY and Herb of Windsor CT; daughters Robin Rader of Lancaster PA, Diana Winters of Lancaster PA, Alison Campbell of Surrey UK, and Carolyn Bailey of Alexandria VA; and eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

The Celebration of Life will be held at The Salvation Army, 131 S. Queen Street, Lancaster PA on Saturday, November 4, 2023, with viewing at 1:00 and the service at 2:00 p.m.