Charles Ridge Floyd
1963-2022
Charles Ridge Floyd was born on February 5, 1963, to Norma Jean Hess Floyd and Rep. Paul Whitfield Floyd, Jr. in Houston, Texas. He left us all too soon on November 1, 2021. Ridge graduated from Waltrip High School, where he was a Ram Handler, and from The University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Communications. A performer since birth, Ridge started taking piano lessons when he was 18 months old. He joined the Singing Boys of Houston as a child and performed throughout Europe. Ridge toured the world as a classical concert pianist, served as Music Director at Camp Stewart and headed the Hill Country Children's Choir at Camp Waldemar (both in Hunt, Texas). Ridge released three CDs of his compositions — Japonica, FM 1340 and Live at the Alamo — and was profiled on the Texas Country Reporter feature Piano
Across Texas. His artistry extended to landscape architecture, and through his company In the Garden, Ridge designed and installed some of the most stunning gardens in Texas. Friends and fans knew Ridge as wickedly funny, fiercely loyal, a musical prodigy and a living treasure. Ridge loved the Hill Country, Nurse Jean's beef stroganoff, composing and performing his music, and making everything beautiful.
Music should whisper to your soul, stirring visual images like a brilliant garden blowing in the wind, color and emotion set to certain life-giving rhythms
– C. Ridge Floyd
A celebration of Ridge's life will be held at St. Philip Presbyterian, 4807 San Felipe Street in Houston at 11:00 am on March 25, 2022. Those attending are asked to bring a new pair of socks for collection and donation to displaced individuals, just as Ridge had done on his own throughout Houston. In lieu of sending flowers, please consider a donation to your local shelter. Ridge is survived by his brother James M. Floyd and his niece Lyla Kathleen Floyd and nephew Harris Edison Floyd. Ridge's parents and older brother Paul W. "Chip" Floyd III predeceased him.

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Published by Houston Chronicle from Mar. 13 to Mar. 19, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Charles Floyd

Sponsored by aCremation.

7 Entries

C M-B

March 15, 2025

Je me souviens

Samuel Snoek-Brown

April 6, 2023

I remember Ridge vividly from his appearances at my college in Kerrville back in the mid-1990s, and I owned two of his albums and still listen to them today. In fact, he inspired one of my most popular short stories, and I think fondly of him often. I was just tonight sharing a memory of him with a student and was looking up ways to share his music when I discovered this obituary. I am heartbroken to learn that we have lost such a beautiful light in our world.

Holly Lee

April 23, 2022

I´m so very sad to learn of his passing. Not before today did I know, when I tried calling and got a fast busy. My sincerest sympathies to his family and friends. He was an amazing person

Bobbi Yarbrough

March 26, 2022

Truly enjoyed working with Ridge at Camp Stewart,I was one of the Bus Drivers that drove the camp boys around to dances and to the church in Kerrvilleto sing in the choir under Ridge. Saw him perform at the Arts in Ingram, Tx...have all 3 of his CD'S...Ridge was a beautiful person with a big heart.

Pete Akin

March 22, 2022

Ridge's Waltrip Ram Handler nickname was " O-Ridg-inal." He had an out-sized personality to go with his musical talent. We had a fair number of classes together, mostly history, English, 8th-12th grade, Black Banner newspaper staff.
He sang a beautiful solo in the 9th grade Christmas pagaent which the speech class and music departments at Black put on. Ridge was one of the original "preppy" dressers at Waltrip, back when half the school wore concert or surf shirts, the other half wore western boots and hats. Once, when an English teacher had the class put on some kind of costumes to do an in-class play, Ridge took a look at his and quipped, "Nuclear war wear, by Christian Dior!"
His post on the Waltrip class of 1981 Facebook, about being asked to sit in for a missing organist at a classmate's wedding is classic Ridge.
I had not seen him in 40+ years, but he was the kind of person you don't forget. I had hoped to see him at the reunion, but it was not to be. I know where ever you are, the music and the wit will sparkle.

Katherine Culpepper

March 20, 2022

Knew Ridge while a student at Schreiner University . A gifted musician and funny person. He will be missed

Lisa Winkel Lange

March 15, 2022

You are truly missed. Your beautiful smile and soul touched more people than you know. Rest In Peace.

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