Frank Ridley

Frank Richard Ridley, age 82 of Cleveland, Texas, passed away Wednesday, July 1, 2015 in Kingwood Hospital, Kingwood, Texas. He was born October 1, 1932 in Groveton, Texas to parents Mildred Louise Hall and George Richard Ridley who he is preceded in death by. Mr. Ridley moved to Cleveland in 1940 with his family, at age of 7. After his father was badly hurt, he began working as an apprentice carpenter to help support his family. He attended school in Cleveland, TX. In addition to being a straight A student he played football on the football team. He graduated high school from Cleveland in 1950. Shortly after graduating high school he was drafted into the Armed Services during the Korean War in 1953 where he was sent to Fort Bliss to complete his basic training. After he completed basic training he went to the Combat Arms Detachment 1802D Special Regiment at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY, was a marksman and trained others to shoot a rifle. He used to say that they wouldn’t send him overseas because he was 6’6” and would be too big of a target. He was Honorably Discharged at the rank of corporal in April of 1955. Frank then married Blanche Ruth McGee November 9, 1955 at the Justice of the Peace office in Dayton, TX. They celebrated 59 years of wedded bliss. He was a home builder building many, many homes and businesses within the Cleveland and surrounding areas. He loved spending time with family and friends. He was an avid fisherman and also loved, hunting, and cooking. He loved helping others and participated in numerous fund raisers for various charities. He was a Mason and a member of the VFW. He was a loving husband and father, never met a stranger, and just simply a wonderful man with Christian values. He became a member of the First Baptist Church in Cleveland in 1969, raised three daughters and has numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. Survivors include his wife, Blanche Ruth McGee; daughters, Deborah Barfield and husband Jeff, Janie Fehlker and husband John, Cynthia Kimberly and husband Edward; sister, Carolyn Stone and husband James; brother, Mac Ridley and wife Nancy; grandchildren, Christy Purkerson, Melanie Roberts, Ricky Snell, Tony Kimberly, Ashley Smith, Amber Kimberly, and Jerry Fehlker; great-grandchildren, Hunter Roberts, Layne Purkerson, Tyler Foxworth, Aiden Roberts, Kami Foxworth, Jarrett Purkerson, Cody Snell, Kinley Kimberly, Brady Purkerson, Abbygale Smith, and Ashlyn Kimberly; numerous other relatives and friends. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Friday, July 3, 2015 at Pace Stancil Funeral Home, Cleveland, Texas. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 4, 2015 at Pace Stancil Chapel, Cleveland, Texas. Interment will follow at Pace Stancil Memorial Rest Gardens, Cleveland, Texas. PACE-STANCIL FUNERAL HOME 303 E. CROCKETT CLEVELAND, TEXAS 281-592-2641