Joseph D Regan

Joe went to meet his Lord and Savior on January 26, 2016. Born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on March 19, 1928 to Adeline and Joseph Regan. Joe was a gentleman and a gentle man who loved his God, family, friends, his country and his life work. One of Joe's favorite sayings was "If you enjoy what you’re doing, you will never work a day in your life". He lived this credo by spending 50 enjoyable years in the corporate environment. Joe graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Cedar Rapids in 1945. After his military service he enrolled at the University of Iowa where he received a Bachelor of Science-Commerce degree in 1951. While at the University he was affiliated with the Sigma Alpha Epsilon (S.A.E.) fraternity. In 1951, following a brief stint in the Sales Department of Socony - Vacuum Oil Company (later Mobil Oil) Joe accepted a position at Collins Radio Company, Cedar Rapids Division, as a buyer in the Purchasing Department. In 1960 Joe was joined in matrimony with his beloved Mary Joan (Jonie) Reindl. This happy marriage lasted forty-five years until Jonie's death in 2005. Their marriage was blessed with six wonderful children. In 1967 Collins Radio moved its Corporate Headquarters to Richardson, Texas and centralized its various operational functions. At that time, Joe was promoted to Director of Corporate Procurement & Traffic & Transportation and the family moved to Dallas. In 1972 Rockwell International acquired Collin Radio and Joe continued his employment with Rockwell as Director of Procurement Planning. His primary responsibility in this capacity was to maximize Collins/Rockwell's buying power through the implementation and negotiation of long-term Corporate Agreements with the suppliers of material and services as utilized by the divisions, plants and subsidiaries of the Company. He served in this capacity until his retirement in 1991. Within one month of retiring from Rockwell, Joe accepted a position with the Andrew Corporation - another international telecommunication Company in Orland Park, Illinois where he served as Corporate Director - Material and Purchasing. Although the planned employment was for three years, he became so fascinated and intrigued with the Company that he stayed ten years until his retirement in 2001. During his corporate life Joe traveled extensively throughout the world to Company plant sites and supplier operations. In 2005, Joe's eldest son Michael and he formed Regan Properties LLC, and Joe remained active in the business until he retired in 2013. Following the family move to Dallas, Joe and Jonie became active in Saint Rita Catholic Community during its early stages. Over the years, Joe served as President - Men's Club; Chairman of the Parish Advisory Council; and Chairman - Finance Committee. Following Jonie's death a family friend introduced Joe to the beautiful widow - Dianne Laros. The couple married in 2007 and Joe spent the rest of his years in a happy and enjoyable marriage with Dianne at his side. Joe was preceded in death by his sister and brother in-law, Elaine and Jim McGinley of Prairie Village, Kansas. He is survived by his wife, Dianne; four sons; two daughters; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and two step-sons as follows: Michael and Florence Regan of Plano, Richard and Christi Regan of Murphy, Joe and Valerie Regan of Euless, Justin and Glori Regan of Carrollton, Molly and Bruce Wittenberg of Seattle, WA, and Katie and Mike Ratcliff of Wylie; the grandchildren, Meaghan, Zachery, Meredith, John Michael, Nicholas, Justin II, Sarah, and Richard Wyatt Regan; the great-grandchildren, Isabella and Noah Regan; and the step-sons, Thomas G. Laros and Angelo P. Laros of Dallas. A prayer service will be conducted at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home on Sunday, January 31, 2016 at 6:00 pm. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at Christ the King Catholic Church in Dallas on Monday, February 1, 2016 at 10 am. Interment shall be performed by the family at the Prince of Peace columbarium, Plano, Texas at a later date. A reception will be held immediately following Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Vincent DePaul Society at Christ the King, 8017 Preston Road, Dallas, TX 75225, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), or a charity of one's choice. The family extends its sincere thanks to Dr. Phillip Aronoff, Dr. James Strauss, Dr. Dale Yoo, Dr. David Musselman and Dr. Julye N. Carew for their caring attitude and medical expertise extended to Joe during his later years.