Albert Thomas Ridge, born Aug. 24, 1951, in Munich, Germany, to James J. and Elizabeth (Betty) Ridge, went home to be with his Lord on Dec. 18, 2006, after a 2½-year battle with lung cancer.
Al served four years in the U.S. Air Force. After leaving the service, he joined his wife, Elaine, as owners and operators of Alyce's Floral Design. He also joined the Okaloosa County Sheriff 's Office and served as Deputy Sheriff for 26½ years. Al's most rewarding position with the Sheriff 's Office was School Resource Officer at Bruner Middle School. He loved watching the kids grow up and working with them as they matured. Al also spent time with the Fort Walton Beach High School football team escorting them to games, with the 1991 AAA State Champs being one of his fondest memories with them.
Al saw life as a challenge. He loved the challenge of his law enforcement as Deputy Sheriff. When Al was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2004 he also saw this as a challenge and was determined to keep fighting even when the battle seemed too hard to win.
Albert was predeceased by his mother and father. He is survived by his wife, Elaine E. Ridge; son, Douglas A. Ridge of Orlando, Fla.; daughter, April M. Ridge; brother, James J. Ridge and wife Liz of Indianapolis; in-laws, Vaughn K. and Louise Caldwell of Shalimar, Fla.; sister in law, Vicki C. Andrews of Acton, Mass.; nephew, Richard K. Andrews and niece Jessica C. Andrews of Acton; nieces, Janet, Jackie and their families, also of Indianapolis; and special friends, Tyler Guinn and his mother Judy, and Brandon Gynn. Al considered Brandon and Tyler to be his adopted grandchildren.
Al and his family would like to thank all of his family, friends and law enforcement who helped during this difficult twoyear period. He loved to hear his phone beep while he was at treatments at M.D. Anderson Cancer Clinic. He would feel like he was still connected to all those at home.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to his wonderful caregivers Suzanne, Bonita and LuAnne from Hospice of the Emerald Coast. Al called these ladies his "Angels" that kept him going when he was away from his doctors in Houston. Words cannot express the appreciation to the staff at M.D. Anderson Cancer Clinic including Dr. Blumshein, Dr. Cox, Colleen Tetloff, the physician's assistant and Theresa Eddings, the research nurse.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday at Hollywood Boulevard Baptist Church, 204 Hollywood Blvd., Fort Walton Beach, with the Rev. Willie Pace, Pastor, officiating. Burial will follow at Jesse Rogers Cemetery.
Al would like to say to his fellow law enforcement family that although his torch has gone out he will be watching over those that are still carrying the "Torch."
Flowers will accepted, or donations to Hospice of the Emerald Coast, 2529 S. Ferdon Blvd., Crestview, FL 32536, or to the Florida Sheriff 's Youth Ranch, P.O. Box 2000, Boys Ranch, FL 32064.
To share condolences and memories visit www.emerald coastfuneralhome.com.
Al served four years in the U.S. Air Force. After leaving the service, he joined his wife, Elaine, as owners and operators of Alyce's Floral Design. He also joined the Okaloosa County Sheriff 's Office and served as Deputy Sheriff for 26½ years. Al's most rewarding position with the Sheriff 's Office was School Resource Officer at Bruner Middle School. He loved watching the kids grow up and working with them as they matured. Al also spent time with the Fort Walton Beach High School football team escorting them to games, with the 1991 AAA State Champs being one of his fondest memories with them.
Al saw life as a challenge. He loved the challenge of his law enforcement as Deputy Sheriff. When Al was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2004 he also saw this as a challenge and was determined to keep fighting even when the battle seemed too hard to win.
Albert was predeceased by his mother and father. He is survived by his wife, Elaine E. Ridge; son, Douglas A. Ridge of Orlando, Fla.; daughter, April M. Ridge; brother, James J. Ridge and wife Liz of Indianapolis; in-laws, Vaughn K. and Louise Caldwell of Shalimar, Fla.; sister in law, Vicki C. Andrews of Acton, Mass.; nephew, Richard K. Andrews and niece Jessica C. Andrews of Acton; nieces, Janet, Jackie and their families, also of Indianapolis; and special friends, Tyler Guinn and his mother Judy, and Brandon Gynn. Al considered Brandon and Tyler to be his adopted grandchildren.
Al and his family would like to thank all of his family, friends and law enforcement who helped during this difficult twoyear period. He loved to hear his phone beep while he was at treatments at M.D. Anderson Cancer Clinic. He would feel like he was still connected to all those at home.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to his wonderful caregivers Suzanne, Bonita and LuAnne from Hospice of the Emerald Coast. Al called these ladies his "Angels" that kept him going when he was away from his doctors in Houston. Words cannot express the appreciation to the staff at M.D. Anderson Cancer Clinic including Dr. Blumshein, Dr. Cox, Colleen Tetloff, the physician's assistant and Theresa Eddings, the research nurse.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday at Hollywood Boulevard Baptist Church, 204 Hollywood Blvd., Fort Walton Beach, with the Rev. Willie Pace, Pastor, officiating. Burial will follow at Jesse Rogers Cemetery.
Al would like to say to his fellow law enforcement family that although his torch has gone out he will be watching over those that are still carrying the "Torch."
Flowers will accepted, or donations to Hospice of the Emerald Coast, 2529 S. Ferdon Blvd., Crestview, FL 32536, or to the Florida Sheriff 's Youth Ranch, P.O. Box 2000, Boys Ranch, FL 32064.
To share condolences and memories visit www.emerald coastfuneralhome.com.
Albert Thomas Ridge, born Aug. 24, 1951, in Munich, Germany, to James J. and Elizabeth (Betty) Ridge, went home to be with his Lord on Dec. 18, 2006, after a 2½-year battle with lung cancer.
Al served four years in the U.S. Air Force. After leaving the service, he joined his wife, Elaine, as owners and operators of Alyce's Floral Design. He also joined the Okaloosa County Sheriff 's Office and served as Deputy Sheriff for 26½ years. Al's most rewarding position with the Sheriff 's Office was School Resource Officer at Bruner Middle School. He loved watching the kids grow up and working with them as they matured. Al also spent time with the Fort Walton Beach High School football team escorting them to games, with the 1991 AAA State Champs being one of his fondest memories with them.
Al saw life as a challenge. He loved the challenge of his law enforcement as Deputy Sheriff. When Al was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2004 he also saw this as a challenge and was determined to keep fighting even when the battle seemed too hard to win.
Albert was predeceased by his mother and father. He is survived by his wife, Elaine E. Ridge; son, Douglas A. Ridge of Orlando, Fla.; daughter, April M. Ridge; brother, James J. Ridge and wife Liz of Indianapolis; in-laws, Vaughn K. and Louise Caldwell of Shalimar, Fla.; sister in law, Vicki C. Andrews of Acton, Mass.; nephew, Richard K. Andrews and niece Jessica C. Andrews of Acton; nieces, Janet, Jackie and their families, also of Indianapolis; and special friends, Tyler Guinn and his mother Judy, and Brandon Gynn. Al considered Brandon and Tyler to be his adopted grandchildren.
Al and his family would like to thank all of his family, friends and law enforcement who helped during this difficult twoyear period. He loved to hear his phone beep while he was at treatments at M.D. Anderson Cancer Clinic. He would feel like he was still connected to all those at home.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to his wonderful caregivers Suzanne, Bonita and LuAnne from Hospice of the Emerald Coast. Al called these ladies his "Angels" that kept him going when he was away from his doctors in Houston. Words cannot express the appreciation to the staff at M.D. Anderson Cancer Clinic including Dr. Blumshein, Dr. Cox, Colleen Tetloff, the physician's assistant and Theresa Eddings, the research nurse.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday at Hollywood Boulevard Baptist Church, 204 Hollywood Blvd., Fort Walton Beach, with the Rev. Willie Pace, Pastor, officiating. Burial will follow at Jesse Rogers Cemetery.
Al would like to say to his fellow law enforcement family that although his torch has gone out he will be watching over those that are still carrying the "Torch."
Flowers will accepted, or donations to Hospice of the Emerald Coast, 2529 S. Ferdon Blvd., Crestview, FL 32536, or to the Florida Sheriff 's Youth Ranch, P.O. Box 2000, Boys Ranch, FL 32064.
To share condolences and memories visit www.emerald coastfuneralhome.com.
Al served four years in the U.S. Air Force. After leaving the service, he joined his wife, Elaine, as owners and operators of Alyce's Floral Design. He also joined the Okaloosa County Sheriff 's Office and served as Deputy Sheriff for 26½ years. Al's most rewarding position with the Sheriff 's Office was School Resource Officer at Bruner Middle School. He loved watching the kids grow up and working with them as they matured. Al also spent time with the Fort Walton Beach High School football team escorting them to games, with the 1991 AAA State Champs being one of his fondest memories with them.
Al saw life as a challenge. He loved the challenge of his law enforcement as Deputy Sheriff. When Al was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2004 he also saw this as a challenge and was determined to keep fighting even when the battle seemed too hard to win.
Albert was predeceased by his mother and father. He is survived by his wife, Elaine E. Ridge; son, Douglas A. Ridge of Orlando, Fla.; daughter, April M. Ridge; brother, James J. Ridge and wife Liz of Indianapolis; in-laws, Vaughn K. and Louise Caldwell of Shalimar, Fla.; sister in law, Vicki C. Andrews of Acton, Mass.; nephew, Richard K. Andrews and niece Jessica C. Andrews of Acton; nieces, Janet, Jackie and their families, also of Indianapolis; and special friends, Tyler Guinn and his mother Judy, and Brandon Gynn. Al considered Brandon and Tyler to be his adopted grandchildren.
Al and his family would like to thank all of his family, friends and law enforcement who helped during this difficult twoyear period. He loved to hear his phone beep while he was at treatments at M.D. Anderson Cancer Clinic. He would feel like he was still connected to all those at home.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to his wonderful caregivers Suzanne, Bonita and LuAnne from Hospice of the Emerald Coast. Al called these ladies his "Angels" that kept him going when he was away from his doctors in Houston. Words cannot express the appreciation to the staff at M.D. Anderson Cancer Clinic including Dr. Blumshein, Dr. Cox, Colleen Tetloff, the physician's assistant and Theresa Eddings, the research nurse.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday at Hollywood Boulevard Baptist Church, 204 Hollywood Blvd., Fort Walton Beach, with the Rev. Willie Pace, Pastor, officiating. Burial will follow at Jesse Rogers Cemetery.
Al would like to say to his fellow law enforcement family that although his torch has gone out he will be watching over those that are still carrying the "Torch."
Flowers will accepted, or donations to Hospice of the Emerald Coast, 2529 S. Ferdon Blvd., Crestview, FL 32536, or to the Florida Sheriff 's Youth Ranch, P.O. Box 2000, Boys Ranch, FL 32064.
To share condolences and memories visit www.emerald coastfuneralhome.com.
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