David Eugene Ridley, (Commander, US Navy , Ret.)

AIKEN - David Eugene Ridley, Commander US Navy, Retired, 79, of Aiken, South Carolina, died Sunday, April 22nd, at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta. His generosity, kind spirit and loving nature will be deeply missed by his family and the many friends he touched in our community. David is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Dorothy; four daughters, Renee (Keith) Boswell, Richmond, VA., Robin (Duncan Earle) Ridley, Versonnex, France, Felicia (Anthony) Evans, Great Falls, VA., Hana (Adam Davis) Layson, Chicago, IL.; one son, Scott (Diane) Layson, San Jose, CA.; nine grandchildren, Luke, Lydia and Ezra Boswell, David and Henry Earle, Mollie and Thomas Evans, Jacob and Sasha Layson-Davis; one sister, Marilee (Ellis) Hardwick, Brinson, GA; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family wishes to express special thanks to nephew Gary Ridley for all of his help. David was preceded in death by his two brothers, Melvin Ridley and Joe Ridley, and his granddaughter, Kate Boswell. David was born in Columbus, Georgia, on September 2nd, 1932, to Mary Hunt Ridley and William Jackson Ridley. He was a graduate of Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama and received a Masters of Business Administration from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. He served 21 years in the United States Navy as a Supply Corps Officer and retired in 1978 as a Navy Commander. David lived for many years in the Lake Barcroft neighborhood of Falls Church, Virginia. In 1995, he and Dorothy moved to Aiken where they warmly embraced the community. David loved music and dancing. He sang with a beautiful tenor voice and enthusiastically supported Symphony Orchestra Augusta. He and Dorothy were a force to be reckoned with on the dance floor. David loved playing all sports, especially squash and tennis. For many years, he was a member of the Downtown Athletic Club in New York City and the Pentagon Officers’ Athletic Club. He was invited to join the Aiken Tennis Club and played court tennis with a passion. David dedicated himself to community service—teaching in adult and youth literacy programs, serving as an elder in the Falls Church Presbyterian Church, and contributing generously to Hopelands Gardens. He promoted music programs for children as president of the Aiken Symphony Guild. As president of the Historic Aiken Foundation, he made restoring the Wesley United Methodist Church a priority. Above all, he loved and celebrated the lives of his family and friends. He will always be remembered as the ultimate Southern Gentleman—courteous, kind, intelligent, dapper and possessing a wonderful sense of humor. He made us all smile. A Memorial Service will be held at 4 pm on Wednesday, April 25th, at the First Baptist Church of Aiken with the Rev. Dr. Fred W. Andrea III officiating. Interment services with full military honors are being planned for Arlington National Cemetery in mid-May. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Aiken Symphony Guild, P.O. Box 2801 Aiken, SC 29802-2801 or the Augusta Warrior Project, 1190 Interstate Parkway Augusta, GA 30909. The family will receive friends at the church parlor one hour before the service. A reception will be held at Aiken County Museum “Banksia” following the service from 5-7pm. The Aiken Symphony Guild will dedicate its spring concert with Symphony Orchestra Augusta on Friday, April 27th, to David Ridley. Mr. Ridley's memorial service may be viewed in its entirety by visiting http://app.eventbywire.com/ViewEvent/?id=419-016 Please visit the online guest book at www.shellhousefuneralhome.com. SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of David Eugene Ridley, (Commander, US Navy , Ret.), please visit our flower store.