Dr. John Carleton Riddick

Dr. John Carleton Riddick

Louisville - Dr. John Carleton Riddick, 83, passed away on Wednesday, August 15, 2018, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri on March 2, 1935 to John Leavell and Anneva Mitchell Riddick. The family moved to Cassville, Missouri and later to Carthage where Carleton completed high school.

He received his B.A. degree from Westminster College, Fulton, Missouri, majoring in Classical Languages (Latin and Greek). After earning his Master in Divinity degree from Louisville Presbyterian Seminary, he pastored the Boggstown and Seymour, Indiana Presbyterian churches from 1959-1966. During completion of his Master's and Doctoral degrees in Clinical Psychology at the University of Louisville, he was Dean of Students at the Louisville Presbyterian Seminary from 1967-70. Dr. Riddick began his private practice in 1971, which became Riddick, Flynn and Associates in 1973. In addition to his practice, he was a field clinician for the Detroit Division of the DEA, which included Michigan, Ohio, and Kentucky from 1991-2010, and a psychology consultant to and an evaluator for several police departments in Jefferson County, Kentucky and in Jeffersonville, Indiana. He retired in 2010. Since his retirement, he served on the Board of Trustees of the Mental Health Association of America-Kentucky and the Presbyterian Homes & Services, Inc.

Carleton's interests over the years were many. He enjoyed a good game of golf (even a not-so-good one), fishing in the Canadian waters of Lac Des Mille Lacs, Ontario, and other waters in parts of Kentucky, and reading a great variety of books of all persuasions. He obtained his pilot's license, and for a time, flew small planes to various locations, including Canada. Carleton was a wise player and a good teacher of the game of backgammon. He was a champion bridge player, and won the Vanderbilt Cup, which was reported in the Bridge column in the New York Times of March 12, 1966. During high school and college, he was an excellent tennis player, winning several state tournaments, and was the number one ranked player for Westminster College. He was also an avid fan of UofL football and basketball.

He leaves to cherish his memory: his loving wife of twenty-eight years, Dawn Hamilton Snyder Riddick; his beloved children: Anne M., Chicago, IL, John Carleton, Jr., and Samuel Emsley (Jenny) from his first marriage to Barbara Gray Riddick; his stepchildren, whom he adopted into his heart: Jason P. Snyder (Kathleen), Elizabeth Snyder-Fickler (Greg), Cary, NC, and Matthew H. Snyder; his brother John M. Riddick (Sarah), Columbia, MO; grandchildren: Eva and Mitchell Stoops. Margaret and Hallie Riddick, Sarah and Samuel E. Jr., and Gray Riddick; and his step-grandchildren: Meredith and Andrew Snyder, Jackson and Alexandra Fickler, and Oscar Henry Snyder.

A celebration of Carleton's life will be held on September 29, 2018 at the Central Presbyterian Church (318 W. Kentucky St., Louisville, KY). Visitation will be from 1:00-2:00 p.m., memorial service at 2:00 p.m. and a brief reception to follow.

The family wishes to extend their deep appreciation for the care and compassion given to Carleton by Dr. Jane Cornett, and nurses and nursing aides, and all staff who cared for him during his time at the Episcopal Church Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Central Presbyterian Church, 318 W. Kentucky St. Louisville, KY 40203, or the Rheumatoid Arthritis Association, Help Fight RA: Conroy Windermere Rd., Suite 309, Orlando, FL 32835.