Ronald Ridgeway

Ronald Allen Ridgeway, Age 66, died Sunday April 12th, 2020 following a brief but courageous battle with cancer.

Born Oct 2, 1953 in Normal, Illinois to Claude and Thelma Ridgeway. He was a proud veteran of the United States Army based in Korea during the Vietnam War, and was honorably discharged on Feb 7th, 1974 with the National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Korea Medal, and the Marksman M16 Badge. After his service he moved to Grand Junction, CO where he became a jack of all trades, he dabbled in construction, oilfield work, carpentry, Alaskan commercial fishing, gardening and farming. He knew a little bit about everything and strived to succeed in all that he did. He would work from sun up to sun down Monday through Saturday, but Sunday was always saved for football (Go Broncos!) , fishing, and relaxing! You would rarely find him indoors; whether he was working, tending his garden, hunting, fishing, or just sitting under the shade tree watching his dogs (Sam, Bella and Maggie) run around the yard while he sipped his Iced Tea. He did life with a smile, he was always positive, even when he was down, he always said "You have to smile, being down is against the rules!" He lived for his family and his friends, and their needs were always held above his own. If you needed something and he had it, you would end up with it one way or another. He was loved more that he could have ever imagined and he will be sorely missed every day until we meet again.

He was proceeded in death by his parents Claude and Thelma, his step mother Stella, and a daughter Chrystal. He is survived by his partner Judy Stevens, of Grand Junction, CO; children Rodney (Amanda) Stevens of Fruita, CO and 6 grandchildren, Angelica, Shannon, Bryce, Hailie, Sawyer and Aidan.

Military Honor Funeral Services will be held Friday October 16th at 10am at Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Grand Junction, Colorado, with a memorial BBQ to follow at 1pm at the Grand Shelter at Canyon View Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the St Mary's Regional Cancer Center in his honor.