RIDGEWAY

Gerald “Gary” M. Ridgeway of Milliken died Feb. 24, 2013, at Medical Center of the Rockies. He was 66.

Mr. Ridgeway was born on April 24, 1946, in Emporia, Kan., to Martin L. and Selma M. (Rice) Ridgeway. He graduated from Emporia High School in 1964 and from Emporia State University in 1968 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.

He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1967-1972, where he was a 1st lieutenant/Aircraft Maintenance Officer at Chanute AFB, Illinois, and McConnell AFB, Kansas.

On Feb. 19, 1969, he married his school sweetheart, Linda Loomis, in Emporia. In 1984, they moved their family to Colorado to be closer to the mountains.

Gary worked in the construction industry for several years in both Kansas and Colorado. He also had the opportunity to manage two mobile home parks and was maintenance supervisor for the Hampton Inn.
Most recently, he worked for SAMS Club, where he was employed in the meat/bakery/demo departments until retiring in 2009.

He was an Eagle Scout and was very involved with the Boy Scouts of America. His contributions to the Boy Scouts included District Chairman, Sojadi District, of the Jayhawk Council, and he was a member of Alpha Phi Omega – Scouting Service Fraternity.

He played an instrumental role in establishing the Two Rivers Soccer Association back in Emporia, which has grown and now hosts national competitions.

He loved the outdoors, mountains, fishing, camping and spending time with his family. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him, including his devoted dog, Koda.

He was preceded in death by his mother; and a brother, Charles.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Ridgeway of Milliken; his father, Martin (Joyce) Ridgeway of Akron, Ohio; children, Michael Ridgeway of Milliken and Cheri (James) Clark of Fort Collins; a sister, Susan (Dennis) Neff of Grove, Okla.; and grandchildren, Hailey and Connor Clark.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. March 4, 2013, at Resthaven Funeral Home, Ft. Collins, with full military honors following the service.

Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association in his honor.

Family and friends may view the online obituary and sign the guestbook at www.resthavencolorado.com.