Jack Ridgeway

Jack Ridgeway, 84, of Aiken, SC passed away at his home on Tuesday, July 6, 2021 surrounded by his family.

Jack was born in 1936 to James I and Ida Woods Ridgeway in Denmark, SC. He graduated from Barnwell High in 1956 and soon after married Emma Ulrich, his wife of 65 years.

Jack loved to cut up and was the life of the room. He loved laughing and making people laugh, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Jack also loved telling stories and had a story for every occasion. He most enjoyed telling stories of his and his brothers’ shenanigans growing up in Barnwell. Jack would happily tell of setting the Barnwell High wagon on fire and rolling it down a hill for everyone to see or of painting the interior of the school superintendent’s car yellow like it happened yesterday, chuckling as he remembered every wild detail.  

 He proudly served his country in the U.S. National Guard as a medic from 1953-1961. 

Jack and Emma started their life together in Barnwell, SC and moved to Jacksonville, FL where they started their family and he began his career as a shipbuilder working for Jacksonville Shipyards. They later moved to New Orleans, LA to continue Jack’s career in and passion for shipbuilding at Avondale Shipyard. During his time in New Orleans, he became a huge fan of the New Orleans Saints (Who Dat!). He then moved his family to Pascagoula, MS where he finished up his shipbuilding career at Ingalls Shipbuilding. Finally looking to get back home, Jack and Emma moved back to South Carolina and settled down in Aiken, SC where Jack worked at Savannah River Site as a boilermaker, retiring after 17 years. In his spare time, Jack could be found down at C. Graham Co. using his ironworking and craftsman skills to create his next masterpiece. He cherished his weekends off, spending time out on the boat, tinkering in his shop, working out in the yard, camping in his motor home, and enjoying time with his family.

 Jack leaves behind his wife Emma Ridgeway; his daughters, Kathy (Rene) deLlacer, of Vancleave, MS and Jackie Stone, of Aiken, SC; his brother, Arnold (Carol) Ridgeway, of Lincolnton, GA; his grandchildren, Cameron Stone, Kellen Stone, Kyle deLlacer, Chelsea (Chandler) Martin, and Skylar (Robbie) Hudson; his great grandchildren, Kruz deLlacer, Rigg Hudson, and Eleanor, Harper, and Heyward Martin; his numerous nieces and nephews; his great nieces and nephews, and his dog, Sippi. 

Jack is preceded in death by his parents, James I and Ida Woods Ridgeway of Barnwell; his five brothers, Bob, Charles, Joe, James, and Ernest Ridgeway; his three sisters, Evelyn Roberson, Jeanette Flanigan, and Annette Adams; and his son in law, Robert Stone. 

The family would like thank the staff of Professional Case Management for the care they gave Jack over his last years and to Regency Hospice. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association (https://act.alz.org/donate).

The family will receive friends from 2:00-4:00 PM Saturday, July 10, 2021, and a Celebration of Life will follow at 4:00 PM at SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC