Obituary: Bob Ridgeway

Bob Ridgeway
March 15, 1936 ~ July 5, 2008
Bob Ridgeway, 72, of Meeker, died July 5, 2008, at Pioneers Hospital in Meeker.
Robert Eugene Ridgeway was born March 15, 1936, in Meeker. He attended school in Meeker, but joined the U.S. Army on April 16, 1954, where he obtained his GED. He served for three years and one day. Included in that was two years, six months and 27 days in Japan. Bob achieved the rank of sergeant, and he completed the course of Advanced Individual Military Police. He received a National Defense Service Medal and a Medal of Good Conduct. After serving his three years in the Army, he served five years in the Army Reserves, receiving his discharge papers in April 1962. He then went to the United States of America Department of Commerce Civil Aeronautics Administration and completed the requirements to receive a private pilot’s license. He then worked in the oilfields while he used his pilot training to crop dust for the local ranchers.
He married Phyllis Aug. 12, 1972. They moved to Lake Havasu City, Ariz., where he flew air taxi and gave flying lessons. They then moved to Las Vegas where Bob attended school and received his certificate as a slot machine mechanic/electro mechanic. Bob found that he liked dealing cards better than mechanicing. Bob and Phyllis then found their way back to Meeker to purchase the Elrancho Restaurant and Lounge. After they sold the restaurant, they moved around.
Bob lived mostly in Meeker while spending the winter in Arizona. About five years before his death, he was not well enough to keep moving back and forth, so he moved to Bullhead City, Ariz. In June 2007 Bob moved back to Meeker where he was until his death.
Bob is preceded in death by his father, Oscar; mother, Eva; brother, Donnie; sister, Betty Campbell; brother, Jimmy; step-grandson, Daniel; and step great-grandson Ty. He is survived by his sisters, Virginia, Roberta (Walter), Sherry (Walter), Laura Sue (Dale) and his brothers, Harold (Maria), Fenton, Kenneth, Gordon (Nita) and a special cousin, Larry. He is also survived by Phyllis, step-daughter: Jean (John) Mulquin and her children: daughter Bobbi Carnes and children Crystal, Daniel, Ricki, Nicole and Ritchie, son Chris (Angela) Eberling and his children Nicholas, Natalie, Nathaniel, Nyler and Naomi; son Anthony (Erin) and his children Devin, Kaleb, Brooke and Hannah; son John (Tina) and his children Cameron and Rozlynn and her children Skarlet, Mercedes and Destinee; stepson Ricky (Cathy) Dade and their children: son Gabriel (Stephanie) Dade and their children, Wyatt and Cody, daughter Brandyann (Adam) Dauner and their son Ethan, daughter Rachel, son, Daskin, son, Darion, daughter, Shovonah, son, Damon, son, Dagon, daughter Annette, and son, Dathan, stepdaughter Sheryl (Brian) Brock and sons Neil and Adam; daughter, Thelma Dade and children: son, Mathew Balt, son Jason (Nikki) Balt, daughter Aidan, son Joshua (Elise) Balt; stepdaughter Robin (Herb) Florez and children: daughters Sheyna, Kiki, Alexis and Bonet.
Bob’s wishes were to be cremated and his remains scattered over LO7. A memorial service was held Saturday, July 12 at the Christ Reformed Church with Pastor Rogers Meredith, officiating. Military Honors were conferred in the Highland Cemetery by VFW Post No. 5843 under the direction of Cochran Memorial Chapel.