Charles “Chuck” Raymond Ridgway, 84, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, at his residence in Morgantown.
Chuck was born Aug. 15, 1938, in the Woodburn neighborhood of Morgantown, in the home where he was raised. He was the fourth of eight children of the late James Raymond Ridgway and Helen Christina (Hudson) Ridgway.
Soon after graduating from Morgantown High School in 1957, he married his high school sweetheart, the late Sally Jo (Tucker) Ridgway. Together, Chuck and Sally Jo raised five children, Mark, Pam, twins Joyce and Janet and Keith, who all went on to be WVU Mountaineers. Chuck and Sally Jo embodied unconditional love throughout their 52-year marriage until her passing in 2009, and now Chuck and Sally Jo are finally reunited.
After a brief stint in the U.S. Marine Corps, Chuck spent 18 years working in the grocery business before pursuing a 27-year career in purchasing at West Virginia University. After retiring happily in 2003, Chuck enjoyed fishing, golfing, traveling and spending time with his family and many friends.
Everyone who knew Chuck was warmed by his earnest smile, unknowing wit and good-natured humor. A proud Mountaineer, Chuck was an avid follower of all things WVU sports, especially football, and he loved a good parlay. A steadfast jogger throughout his adult years, Chuck averaged 20 miles per week, enough to offset his love of steak, wings, lobster and beer. Chuck loved where he was from, never met a stranger and could often be spotted around town enjoying his favorite beverage and some laughs with friends.
Chuck is preceded in death by his wife, Sally Jo; father, James; mother, Helen; and two siblings, Dean Ridgway, and Shirley Williams. He is survived by five of his siblings; Joyce Richardson, of Virginia Beach, Va., Mary Reed, Tom (Patty) Ridgway, Bob (Anna) Ridgway, all of Morgantown, and Mike Ridgway, of Fleming, Ohio; his five children, Jon Mark (Julie) Ridgway, of Hudson, Ohio, Pamela (Tom) Farabaugh, of Ridgeley, Joyce (Ken) O’Brien, of Forest, Va., Janet Wilkins, of Southern Pines, N.C., and Keith (Kellie) Ridgway, of Roanoke, Va.; seven grandchildren, Whitney (Nick) Cartwright, Emily (Chris) Limle, Jennifer (Zach) Tenuta, Griffith Ridgway, Ian Ridgway, Liliana Farabaugh and Kyle O’Brien; and great-granddaughter, Lily Limle.
A celebration of life will be held at Dering-Henson Funeral Home, 156 Foundry St., Morgantown, WV 26505, at noon on Saturday, Jan. 21. Calling hours will start at 10 a.m. and go until the time of the service. The service will be brief, just as Chuck would have liked it, with plenty of time to share classic Chuck stories afterward.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to an organization of your choice.
Caring services are being provided by Dering-Henson Funerals and Cremations.
