Randy Joe Ridgway
Randy Joe Ridgway, age 69, of Presidio, Texas peacefully passed away May 27, 2017 in Wickett, Texas with family at his side.
Randy was born December 10, 1947 in Spokane, Washington to Ira and Edna ‘Eddie’ (Sowell) Ridgway. Randy married his bride, Ella ‘Mae’ Brown on July 12, 1968 in Clovis, NM. Randy and Mae became parents to a daughter, Shennel, in December of 1968 and then to a son, Corby, in December of 1973.
He joined the United States Air Force in June 1966 and attended basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX. Afterwards, he was assigned to Canon Air Force Base in Clovis, NM and was then deployed to Thailand in 1969 during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged after four years in 1970. Randy then worked for the United States Post Office as a mail carrier in Irving, Texas.
In 1991, Randy and Mae joined the Peace Corps and worked as agriculture volunteers in the village of Leona in Senegal, West Africa. Their adventure in the Peace Corps provided the opportunity to experience new cultures and gain many long-lasting friendships.
In 1993, Randy earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas. As a teacher in Presidio, Texas for twelve years, the positive impact left on numerous students was always acknowledged by their chance encounters he would have with them years later; he truly loved his students. He and Mae then embarked on a new career together as house parents for Cal Farley’s Girlstown in Whiteface, TX until 2010. Not only did this career enrich the young lives they touched, but it in turn enriched their own lives that filled both Randy and Mae with tender memories.
Randy was preceded in death by his parents, Ira and Edna Ridgway; his son, Corby Ridgway; and his two brothers, Monty and Jeff Ridgway.
Randy will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 49 years, Mae; his daughter, Shennel Lindsey, and her husband, Scott; two grandchildren and their spouses, Kiefer and Shelby Smith and Ashley and Kaleb Blackburn; his three great-granddaughters, Ella, Scarlett and Macie; and his sister, Kim Becker.
Should friends desire, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the Allison Cancer Center in Midland and to Home Hospice in Odessa for their support.
Condolences may be sent at: www.DistinctiveFuneral.com .
Services entrusted to Distinctive Funeral Choices, 1506 N. Grandview, Odessa, Texas 79761.