James L Ridley Jr.

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of James L. "Larry" Ridley, Jr., who left us on October 31, 2025, with his loving family by his side to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Born on November 18, 1944, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and raised in Knoxville, Larry was an adored and cherished husband, loving father, friend to countless people, mentor to many, and a highly respected business professional in the Gainesville community as well as the commercial door / construction industry for 52 successful years. He loved and lived life to the fullest.
Larry was preceded in death by his father, James L. Ridley, Sr.; his mother, Katherine Ridley; and his sisters, Thea Carico and Beverly DeFord. He is survived by his loving wife, Susan "Fran" Ridley; his sons Jeffrey (Amy), Bryan, and Matthew (Erinn); stepdaughter Aimee Fipps (Rob); stepson Adam McLeod (Kim); 11 grandchildren: Rachel, Lauren, Luke, Cameron, Reagan, Brennan, Evan, Bailey (Chris), Jacob (Haley), Brooke, and Lacy; and 4 great-grandchildren.
In his youth, Larry was a talented athlete, playing basketball and baseball in high school. He was an accomplished baseball pitcher and played for the University of Tennessee freshman team. Although he attended Tennessee, he loved Gator sports and was a proud booster as a member of the Gator Quarterback Club and Gator Basketball Tip-Off Club. Larry loved being outdoors and enjoyed nearly all sports, including tennis, snow skiing, fishing, with baseball and golf being his favorites. He also loved billiards and was quite the pool shark in his youth. Above all, Larry loved spending time with family and friends. He was a tremendous conversationalist with a great sense of humor, a great laugh, and always had a good joke applicable to the situation. With his loving wife Fran of 29 inseparable years by his side, together they often filled their evenings having dinners and keeping close with loved ones.
Larry traveled the world and fell in love with Colorado and snow skiing. Colorado was his happy place. He loved the mountains and the snow. Over the years, he and Fran spent much time in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, as well as Sevierville and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Family vacations in Colorado and time spent in the Smoky Mountains with his sisters and their families were among his most cherished memories.
Larry began his professional career with Enco Materials in Knoxville, TN and later joined Delta Door and Hardware in Memphis, TN. He then accepted a position with Amweld Steel, of Warren, OH and became a district manager covering five states, while living in Arlington, TX. Through a friend and business associate, Larry was approached about staring his own company in Florida with partners Dick Taylor and Lon Cotton of Taylor & Cotton, Inc. of Tampa, FL. They told Larry they wanted to open a location in Gainesville, FL. Sight unseen, Larry accepted this partnership, and Taylor, Cotton & Ridley, Inc. was founded in June 1973.
Larry expanded the company by opening an office in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1974 and acquired full ownership of TCR from Dick Taylor and Lon Cotton in 1975. He later opened an Orlando office in 1980. Always eager to do more, he expanded into the detention construction market. Over the years, Larry opened and managed multiple locations and companies. With his three sons working alongside him, Taylor, Cotton & Ridley has continued to grow, currently operating in four locations with roughly 80 employees, and remains one of the most respected suppliers and subcontractors of commercial doors and hardware in the construction industry. With his strong business acumen and proven leadership, Larry served on many boards, including as President of the Boys Club Advisory Committee, President of the Gainesville Rotary Club, and active member of various church and homeowners' association financial committees.
Even during illness, as a testament to his strong work ethic and love for his company, Larry continued to work. Working was also his happy place, and he loved his company and employees. One of his favorite sayings was, "You gotta work hard to play hard", and he did both to the fullest, and loved even harder. In honor of Larry's life and legacy, funeral services will be held at St. Joseph's Episcopal Church, located at 16921 West Newberry Rd., Newberry, FL 32669, on November 12, 2025, at 1:00 PM. ( Please come back to this website the day before the service to verify venue location ). A burial service will immediately follow at Forest Meadows Cemetery, 4200 NW 39th Ave., Gainesville, FL 32605. The family invites all who knew and loved Larry to join them in remembrance and celebration of his remarkable life. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to one of four charities Larry supported during his life: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Tunnel to Towers Foundation, Wounded Warriors Project, or Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Larry will be deeply missed and forever remembered for his faith, love, wisdom, kindness, strength, and passion for life and those he held dear. May he rest in peace.
All arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Forest Meadows Funeral Homes and Cemeteries. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James, please visit our floral store.