Charles Allen Ridgeway

CHARLES ALLEN RIDGEWAY, DDS Dr. Charles Allen Ridgeway was born in Phoenix, Arizona on November 5, 1928 and died in Phoenix on February 10, 2006. He was the devoted son of Mable and Tom Ridgeway who pre-deceased him. He lived all of his life in Arizona, watching his little town of Phoenix become the booming 5th largest city in the United States. A devout conservationist, he hated the often indiscriminate destruction by developers of his beloved deserts, forests, streams and rivers. He was proud of his service in the U.S. Navy. Charles died of liver cancer after fighting the disease bravely and with determination for four months. Charles was well loved by his family, his business and professional associates, and his friends. He was loved for his kindness, his gentleness, his sense of responsibility, and his strong character. Dr. Charles, as he was known in his dental practice, obtained his degree in dentistry from the University of Maryland, after attending Phoenix College, the University of Southern California, and ASU. He practiced dentistry in partnership with his younger brother, Dr. Tom Ridgeway, for 38 years in Phoenix in a building next door to their father Tom Ridgeway's real estate office. In 1990 Dr. Charles and Dr. Tom gave up their dental practices in Phoenix and bought a motel in the Globe/Miami area, a business they successfully operated until competition from a larger, more grand hotel casino compelled them to sell. Charles continued to practice dentistry, working in dental offices in both Globe and Phoenix. He was a working dentist until November 2005 when the disease began to take its toll on his health. Dr. Charles' kindness and concern was deeply appreciated by his patients and was recognized by all who knew him in that professional context. Dr. Charles is survived by his wife, Barbara, from Prescott; his son Charles Allen Ridgeway Jr. of Phoenix, his step-son Billy Miller, step-daughter Lana Miller, step-granddaughter Sarah Ajizian, step-grandson Shane Miller, all of whom live in Prescott. He is also survived by his siblings, Dr. Jean Baker of Tucson, his brother, Dr. Tom Ridgeway of Globe, and his sister June and brother-in-law Leonard Anderson of Phoenix, who cared lovingly for him during his last months of life. He is also survived by two wonderful aunts, Esther Korinek of Phoenix and Essie Martin of Lakeside and many nieces and nephews. We will miss Charles every day for the rest of our lives. Services will be held on Thursday at 10:00 AM Paradise Sunset Chapel, 3934 E. Indian School Rd.

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