George Franklin ‘Franky’ Ridge
Franky Ridge passed away on July 29, 2019, at Skilled Care of Mexia at the age of 65.
George Franklin “Franky” Ridge was born Feb. 2, 1954, at Mexia Hospital in Mexia. His parents, Clyde Sr. “Hardhead” and Mary Patterson Ridge were lifelong residents of Wortham.
Franky graduated from Wortham High School, Class of 1972. After graduating he attended both Navarro Junior College and Bryan College at Dayton, Tenn., with studies in Theology. He worked at Wortham Hospital during high school and then began a career with Marathon Oil Company, retiring in 2016 after 33 years, 10 months and 9 days. He would tell you quickly “and I enjoyed every minute of my time at Marathon.”
He accepted Christ at Kirvin Baptist Church in 1975 and became an ordained deacon there in October 1978 and later moved his membership to First Baptist Church-Wortham, where he served as deacon there until his passing. He was often called on to lead the singing at Community 5th Sunday singings where he began the services with a joke on hand for all to hear. He loved to make people laugh and smile, always. He was also the Community Santa for many years, riding in on Wortham’s Fire Truck to the kids’ delight. Hunting anything they could was always a Ridge tradition.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Don Allen Ridge in 2015; nephew, Justin Ridge; wife, Ann Ridge; and father-in-Law, Robert Baldree.
Survivors include the “light of his life,” daughter Jenny Ridge; two brothers, Commissioner Clyde Ridge Jr. of Kirvin and Darrell Ridge of Wortham; three sisters-in-law, Angie Ridge, Becky Ridge of Wortham and Carol Emola of Forney; mother-in-law, Estelle Baldree of Freestone; nieces and nephews, Joey, Chad, Whitney, Kristi and Shelby; and several great nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held at First Baptist Church-Wortham from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1, with the funeral services immediately following visitation at 1 p.m. at the First Baptist Church-Wortham. The Rev. Justin Colquette and Chaplain Karen Hulsey officiated.
It can be said about Franky Ridge: “He never met a stranger; he started a conversation with anyone in ear shot; and everyone enjoyed his great belly laugh. He will be missed by us all.”
Memorials may be made to Virginia’s Hospice, 309 Main St., Teague, TX 75860.
Serving as pallbearers were Clyde Ridge Jr, Darrell Ridge, Eric Samford, Ronald Davis, Rickey Ridge and Eric Batts. Honorary pallbearers will be First Baptist Church Wortham deacons and Chad Ridge, Joey Ridge, Jimmy Baugh, Bill Capers, Lonnie Beldin and Phil Whatley.
An online guest book is available at www.corleyporterfuneralhome.com and by selecting the George Franklin “Franky” Ridge obituary.
Corley-Porter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
