Jack Ridgeway

F. Jack Ridgeway, Roswell, Georgia, died on September 4, 2024. He was born in the farm community of Princeton, South Carolina on November 15, 1938, the second son and one of four children born to Fred J. and Nelle Morrison Ridgeway. He served in the South Carolina (Army) National Guard and on active duty with the United States Air Force in several stateside locations as well as Keflavik, Iceland, from which his NATO duties carried him to several countries throughout Scandinavia and continental Europe. His long civilian career was spent in corporate managerial assignments in Information Technology and Business Process Development and Management. He spent about 20 years in industrial management serving last as Corporate Director, Management Information Services. Afterwards he spent over 20 years in Business Management Consulting serving as Senior Consultant, Partner, Managing Partner, Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and President. During that period of his career, he took pride in listing among his many clients such names as Kraft Food Service, Monsanto, Hanes Hosiery, Burlington Industries, J.P. Stevens, Rubbermaid Commercial Products, Ford Motor Company, Rolls Royce of America, Sara Lee, Dell Computer, 3Com Corporation, Russell Corporation, Blue Bird Bus Body Company, Greenwood Mills, and a host of other Fortune 500 and smaller companies. In the final years of his career, having already retired from Business Management Consulting, he retired again from both Coca-Cola and IBM. A quiet, but devoted Christian, he was a member of the Cross of Life Lutheran Church at the time of his death. For most of his adult life he was of the Lutheran faith, serving in several congregations as his work assignments necessitated relocation. He was a long-time member of The Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Atlanta, Georgia until deteriorating health made it difficult to participate actively. Before health issues prevented most activities, Jack enjoyed a variety of personal interests including travel, rich conversation, entertaining, music, theater, writing, community service, reading, home renovation, gardening and yard work, and almost anything that brought him into contact with people, especially where opportunities for conversation and service were evident. His great joys were children and productive, meaningful work. He enjoyed recalling his work assignments that took him to 46 of the 48 continental United States, his beloved nation that provided him such great opportunity for life, service, travel and work in many foreign countries. Always interested in his community wherever he resided, he held membership in Lions International, Moose, and Kiwanis. He was a one-time Barbershop Harmony singer and a life member of Walden Lodge AFM, Greenville, SC where he was a member for over 50 years. He served on a number of boards and committees within his profession, in his church and in his community. When he died, he was a former member of the Roswell Lions Club, former Trustee of Georgia Ensemble Theatre, former member of the Roswell Historical Society, and Member Emeritus and former Treasurer of Roswell Masonic Lodge 164, Roswell, GA. In the last five years, Jack continued this theme as a well-loved resident of Vickery Rose community in Roswell, GA where staff and residents became special friends. He had great compassion for younger and older people who were or would become contributors to his beloved country, but whose life circumstance made financial independence difficult for them. He assisted them personally, directly and usually anonymously. He is survived by those he loved most: his daughters, Kathryn Elaine Ridgeway Ward (Douglas) and Anita Sharon Ridgeway Filippi (Joseph); his son Geoffrey Scott Ridgeway (Roxann); and his third daughter Denelle Esther White, who was his daughter by mutual agreement, their long-term love for each other overcoming their lack of any biological connection. Surviving grandchildren include Erin Filippi, Zachary Filippi, Hope Ridgeway, Autumn Ridgeway and Sage Harding Ridgeway. He is also survived by his sister Sandra Ridgeway Christianson (Don) and nieces and nephews. Jack included in his family the following special people who brought him much joy: his loving friend, LaVerne Lamb, with whom he shared daily companionship and many travel adventures; and Susan Wells Wilson, George DuPre, and Lewis Wilson who started as co-workers early in their careers and became lifelong friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother James C. Ridgeway and his sister Karen Ridgeway Harvey. Jack’s family expresses sincere gratitude to the staff at Northside Forsyth Hospital, Progressive Care Unit, for providing exceptional medical care with kindness and compassion that made Jack and his family as comfortable as possible in his final days. And to Pastor Terri Stagner-Collier for her presence and guidance that brings peace to us all. The family requests those wishing to offer memorials make them to: Shriners Hospital for Children by: mailing to 950 West Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605; calling the Philanthropy Office directly at 864-255-8765; or visiting their website at www.shrinersgreenville.org (click the Donate button, check “Dedicate my donation in honor or in memory of someone”, and select Greenville from the drop-down menu for “Direct my gift to a location OR program”). Family and friends are invited to join Jack’s children for the following Memorial Services: Friday, September 13, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Visitation with Masonic Rites at 5:45 pm. Northside Chapel Funeral Home, 12050 Crabapple Road, Roswell, GA Saturday, September 14, 11:00 a.m. Memorial Service Cross of Life Lutheran Church, 1000 Hembree Road, Roswell, GA Luncheon to follow in the fellowship hall Monday, September 16, 3:00 p.m. (please arrive by 2:45 for the procession) Committal service with military honors Georgia National Cemetery, 1080 Scott Hudgens Drive, Canton, GA

Jack Ridgeway

November 15, 1938 - September 4, 2024