Obituaries

Harry Ridgway

09/05/1926 - 12/02/2017

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Obituary For Harry Ridgway

Harry Ridgway, 91, of Perry, Iowa

Harry Ridgway, 91, of Perry, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, December 2, 2017, in the presence of family. In accordance with his wishes, no services will be held.

Gerald Harry Ridgway was born September 5, 1926 in Leon, Iowa the son of James Pearl and Lou Opal (Sears) Ridgway. Harry served his country in the United States Army from December 29, 1944 until his honorable discharge on February 5, 1946. He spent most of his life in the Perry area and also enjoyed his years at Lake Martinez, AZ from the 1980s through 2000.

Harry worked as a tire builder for many years at the Firestone Plant in Des Moines before his retirement. His favorite hobby was fishing and he loved trips to Leech Lake in Minnesota with his grandson Brandon who says they were the “best fishing trips ever.” In years past, he was a devoted volunteer fireman for the Perry Fire Department and was a member of the Perry Elks Club, Moose Lodge, VFW, and American Legion Post. Harry was a member of the Perry Masonic Lodge and Za-Ga-Zig Shrine Club. He spent countless hours entertaining both young and old alike as a Shrine Club Clown.

Harry lived life believing you have to create your own fun because no one will create it for you. He enjoyed telling stories and jokes, finding even more pleasure when his granddaughter Devon didn’t understand the punchline. He loved having conversations with family and friends and often recalled times spent with his nephew, Tyon Kimble. Years ago, Harry was well known as the owner of Happy Harry’s Dairy Land. More recently, his daughter Jolene enjoyed the many stories of Harry’s rides around town on his scooter, as told to her by Perry residents.

Harry was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Paul, George, Sam, and Bill; sister Margery; daughter Deanna Kay Ridgway and son Gerald Kent Ridgway. Survivors include his daughter Jolene Ridgway of Perry, IA; four grandchildren Brandon (Kendra) Ackerman of Woodward, IA, Devon (Anthony) Greiter of Ames, IA, Justin (Megan) Ridgway of Chicago, IL, and Lindsey Ridgway (George) Ruiz of Cary, IL; three great grandchildren Kaleb Ackerman, Breanna Ackerman, Hadley Kent Ruiz; daughter-in-law Tami Wernli Ridgway (Ed) Ebel of Lake in the Hills, IL; several nieces and nephews; special friends Bob and Marilyn Fronsdahl of Grimes, IA, Danny Wells of Ankeny, IA, Smokey and Judy Knowlton of Lake Martinez, AZ, and Paul Sloss of Perry, IA; and other friends he cherished over the years.

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