Thomas Edward Ridge
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Mr. Thomas Edward Ridge, 90, passed away July 17, 2022.
He was born in Indianapolis, Indiana to the late Walter Norwood Ridge and Mattie H. Elliott.
Tom moved with his family as a young child to Washington D.C. where he attended McKinley Tech. After high school, he went on to serve his country in the United States Army as a Military Police officer. Later, Tom was on the Metropolitan Police Force, where as a motor patrolman, he served on many presidential inaugural events. One of his most memorable events was being apart of the motorcade for the funeral procession of President John F. Kennedy.
An avid outdoorsman, Tom had many hobbies such as: hunting, diving, and traveling with The Allegro Motorhome Club of Indian River County. He also loved highschool football and could be found in the stands under the "Friday Night Lights" most weekends. Tom loved riding motocycles up until the age of 85, at times with his faithful canine companion, "Yana" at his side. He also loved reading and telling stories (forever).
He moved his family from Virginia to Florida in 1968, where he was the Florida State Fruit Inspector, owed and operated a Gulf and Exxon station, drove a bus for St. Edwards School and the ARC.
Tom was a member of First Methodist Church in Vero Beach, 50 year member and Past Master of The Vero Beach Masonic Lodge No. 250 F & AM, Past Patron of The Order of Eastern Star, Shriners, Scottish Rite, and York Rite.
Survivors include his son, Richard Ridge (Anne Marie) of Fort Pierce; daughter Rebecca "Becky" Smetzer (Ty) of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania; brother and sister, John and Debby Hampton of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania and numerous nieces and nephews as well as many lifelong friends.
In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Patsy Ridge; two brothers Walter N. Ridge Jr. and Walter Sinsing.
Memorial contributions may be made to Vero Beach Mason Lodge #250, PO Box 1327, Vero Beach, FL 32961.
Visitation will be 4:00pm-7:00pm Friday July 22, 2022, at Strunk Funeral Homes and Crematory.
Funeral Services will be held 10:00 am, Saturday, July 23, 2022 also at Strunk Funeral Home, Vero Beach, FL.
Burial will immediately follow at Crestlawn Cemetery with Military Honors.
A reception will follow at The Plaza, 884 17th Street, Vero Beach, FL.
Arrangements are by Strunk Funeral Home and Crematory, Vero Beach, Florida.
A guest book is available at www.strunkfuneralhome.com.