I was under 10 years old for most of the '80's and I do not remember much politically from that era, but I'll always remember Reagan. He was like a wise grandfather on TV to me.
The Challenger speech, when I was 8 (which most public school students were compelled to watch live due to America's first teacher going to space) was my favorite memory as I was just devastated and Reagan made it better.
I was a pre-teen in Middle School when it happened. Some of the students got suspended for laughing at the footage.