John Wallace Ridgeway

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Posted by: RStokes
Date: Apr 08 2024 2:25 PM

John Wallace Ridgeway, 76, of Dothan, Alabama, died Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at his residence.

Funeral services will be held Friday, April 12, 2024, at 9:30 A.M., at Chapman Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Rickey Eppes and Sam Walker officiating.  Burial will follow in Ft. Mitchell National Cemetery with Chapman Funeral Home directing. 

John (Wally by his siblings) was born January 11, 1948 in Ponca City, Oklahoma to Johnny and Ulala Reaves Ridgeway. John had an older sister, Shirley Mowdy (David), and five younger sisters, Sharon Dye (Larry), Peggy Rinehart (Dean), Susie Bricker (Kirbey), Mary Carson (Mike), and Connie Steele. John affectionately told stories about growing up in Ponca City with his amazing parents, sisters, and cousins.

After graduating from Ponca City High School, John joined the Air Force in which he served for 23 years retiring as Master Seargent. He married Joan Knight and together they had three children, Matt (Corina), Jennifer (Jerry), and Mark (Mandy). Being a military family took them to several posts in the United States and to England.

When John and Joan separated, he moved to Dothan, Alabama to take advantage of his military benefits to pursue a degree in Nursing at Wallace College in Dothan, Alabama. It was through classmates of Johns who knew Janet Preston that the two became acquainted. On March 16, 1996 Janet and John married at the home of Frank and Rhonda Eller. Janet also had three children, Ken Preston (Nina), Mandy Redding (Tommy), and Olivia Thompson (John). Their blended families formed a beautiful relationship that John and Janet cherished and enjoyed during their 28 years of marriage. During the summer months, the grands would come for an extended visit. Many memories were made during these visits that will be special forever.

Soon after their marriage, John dropped out of nursing school for he and Janet to open a home for mentally challenged adult males. For 15 years it was a pleasure beyond measure for John and Janet to work with their guys. Since retiring, the two have spent most of their time with family.

John studied God’s word and took every opportunity to discuss it with others, especially the grandchildren. Other than God and family, John loved Golf and Auburn football. When daughter, Olivia, attended Auburn he and Janet got season tickets to the games. They enjoyed overdressing in Auburn attire to cheer for their team. John also loved to travel whether it be back home to Ponca City to visit sisters, to Texas to visit kids, or on adventures with friends. He was always ready when Janet said, “Let’s go”.

John was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters (Shirley and Susie), and a brother-in-law Harvey Lee Smith. Besides his wife Janet, he is survived by the six children and their spouses, the four sisters and their spouses, one brother-in-law Jackie Smith (Michelle), one sister-in-law: Annette Tew, several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews

 

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