George Franklin Riddle Jr.
George Franklin Riddle Jr., 87, of Mexia, went to the eternal home his Lord Jesus has been preparing for him on Jan. 22, 2020, after a long, active and blessed life and then a difficult battle with Parkinson’s.
A wonderful husband and father who put his family first, George was born Nov. 19, 1932, in Davilla, to George Franklin Riddle Sr., and Ellen Bice Riddle. When he entered high school down the road in Sharp, he met Sue Drummond, both of them freshmen in Mrs. Shelton’s English class.
George served on the U.S.S. Blair during the Korean War and married Sue one month after he returned. They had two daughters, Rebecca Ann and Rachel Ellen. George went to night school to earn a degree in accounting from the University of Houston and thoroughly enjoyed his accounting career, which culminated as the Business Manager and Assistant Superintendent at the Mexia State School. George and Sue were members of Temple Baptist Church in Mexia and treasured the many friends from their years in Mexia. After retirement, George was busier than ever, spending half of his and Sue’s time at their land near Rockdale, working with cattle and oil wells and maintaining the property. Ever helpful and industrious, George’s first question during visits with his daughters was if there was anything they needed fixing around the house. George so enjoyed this life and remarked many times that he didn’t want it to be over. He knew but could not comprehend the marvelous truth of this quote by C.S. Lewis: “There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.”
George was preceded in death by his father, George Riddle Sr., mother Ellen Hines, stepfather Bill Hines, and his sister, Frances Hargrove. George is survived by his wife of 66 years, Sue, daughter Rebecca Cox and her husband, Harvey, daughter Rachel Garrett and her husband, David; grandchildren Chance Cox, Christopher Cox, Hayden Cox, Madeline Gee and her husband, Brad Gee, and great-granddaughter Landry Gee.
The family would like to thank Holly Ivy and Brandee Nichols, as well as so many others at Heartis in Waco who have blessed George and Sue with loving care. Jordan Davis provided faithful and loving hospice care to George and comforting counsel to Sue and the girls during scary times. Providence Hospice is staffed with absolute angels who comforted George and the family during the last week of George’s life on earth.
In lieu of flowers, the family would be blessed by your donation to Community Healthcare of Texas (Providence Hospice) or Texas Home Health or any charity of your choosing.
There will be a graveside service to celebrate George’s life and his graduation to be with the Lord on Jan. 25, at 10 a.m at I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Rockdale. Arrangements by Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Rockdale.
