Christopher Carl Ridley was a caring husband, father, and grandfather. He passed away on November 7, 2022 at the age of 73. He was born to Carl and Helen Ridley on January 18, 1949, and grew up in Ardmore, Oklahoma, where he began at St. Mary’s Elementary School and went on to graduate from Ardmore High School. He traveled the world serving in the United States Navy. During his time in the Navy he was stationed in the Philippines, Sicily, and Scotland. After his service he returned to Oklahoma where he attended Oklahoma State University. He met his wife Beth while living in Tulsa, and shortly after marrying they relocated back to Ardmore where they raised two children, Brian and Lisa. Chris worked in many jobs (mostly in sales) over the years but was always involved in the oil and gas industry. Right up to his last days, he continued to manage his own oil and gas business as well as assisting many family members and friends with their related interests. Outside of work, Chris loved anything with a motor, spending much of his free time working on cars and motorcycles, boating, or training to be a licensed pilot. He was also a deeply devoted father, husband, and friend, who could spend hours talking to literally anyone and always took care of his loved ones. Whether he was coaching his kids baseball teams, teaching them how to water ski, or showing up to cheer them on in their activities, his kids always came first. And this included his grand kids who he would drop everything to babysit when they were sick. And he always had a new toy for his grandkids to play with. Chris loved nothing more than to share his passions with his family, and to enrich their lives with experiences. Chris never met a stranger. Nothing brought him more joy than taking the time to just talk with someone. Wherever he was, he made sure that the people there knew him and knew that they were now a part of his circle. If you were a neighbor, classmate, or just happened to be at the same Whataburger as him, you had to work hard not to know Chris. He greatly valued the friendships he made throughout his life, and worked hard to make sure those friendships did not go neglected regardless of time and distance. After spending most of his life in Ardmore, Chris moved to the Houston, Texas, area in 2016 to be near his children and grandchildren. Chris is survived by son Brian Ridley and his wife Lauren of Katy, TX, daughter Lisa Stewart and her husband Bill of Galveston, TX; four grandchildren, Eleanor and Lucille Ridley, and Dean and Matilda Stewart. He was preceded in death by his wife Beth Ridley, mother Helen Ridley, father Carl Ridley, and brother Michael Ridley. A time of visitation and support for family and friends has been set for Sunday evening at 5:00 p.m., at Harvey-Douglas Funeral Home; followed by a Rosary service beginning at 6:00 p.m. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 14, 2022, at St. Mary Catholic Church, officiated by Reverend Kevin Ratterman, followed by burial in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery.
