Thomas Wayne "Tom" Riddle

As a warm summer breeze passes over the mountains on Pisgah Creek in the Cruso community, we sense a feeling of great sadness. We have lost a true son of the mountains, Thomas Wayne Riddle, who passed away peacefully at his home with his loving family by his side on Monday, July 14, 2025.
Tom's life journey began on October 2, 1946. He was the son of the late Willy K. Riddle and the late Ruth Burnette Riddle. Tom was blessed with 78 years of a full and wonderful life, and he was also blessed by being able to call Pisgah Creek his home all throughout his life.
Thomas was a United States Army Veteran, having honorably and proudly served in the 25 Infantry Division as a radio operator during the Vietnam War and was awarded the distinguished Purple Heart medal for his bravery and courage. His military career helped to shape Tom's life values and his dedication to taking on any endeavor he faced in life.
His dedication was also evident in his working career. He was the owner and operator of his own trucking company, and Tom was well-known throughout the area for his unwavering integrity and for making certain every job was handled professionally.
A true outdoorsman at heart, Thomas found great peace and solace among the mountains. He was happiest with a fishing rod in hand or hunting among the mountains he loved. As we remember Tom, we can never forget his love for black coffee and the fact that he was hardly ever seen without his Swisher Sweets Cigars- they were his trademark!
Thomas was a man deeply rooted in his strong Christian faith. He was a dedicated member of Beth Eden Baptist Church in Waynesville, and his presence will be greatly missed by his church family.
We give thanks for Tom's life, a life filled with faith, love, kindness, and devotion. He was a wonderful husband, a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and the lessons he taught and the example he was will live on through his family forever. He loved his family with all his heart and soul, and they will always think of Tom as the soft breeze blows across Pisgah Creek. He will be deeply missed.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Roy "Butch" Riddle and Carol Riddle.
Surviving are his loving wife of 50 years, Cathy McCall Riddle; his children, Laura O'Connor ( Mike), Shane Riddle (Kasey), and Jennifer Riddle; his grandchildren, Amber Jackson, Alec "Hammerhead" Johnson, Jacob "Knucklehead" Johnson (Presley), Emma "Snooterboot" Buchanan (Dante'), Landyn "Wildchild" Riddle and Ellie "Cheesepuff" Riddle; his great-grandchildren, Kyser Johnson and Cypress Buchanan; a sister, Shirley Morgan (Wynn); and many friends.
A funeral service to honor the life of Mr. Riddle will be held at 2:00 pm Sunday, July 20, 2025, at Beth Eden Baptist Church in Waynesville. Reverend Dale Wheeler will be officiating. The family will be receiving friends at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Burial with military honors will be in the Cogburn Family Cemetery in Cruso. Honored to be serving as pallbearers will be Alec Johnson, Jacob Johnson, Dante' Buchanan, Mike O'Connor, Charlie Hale, Shane Riddle, Donnie Stockton, Chris Dorlan, and Brian Owens.
Memorials may be made in Mr. Riddle's memory to Beth Eden Baptist Church, 240 Hendrix Street, Waynesville, NC 28786.
Crawford / Ray Funeral Home and Cremation Service is deeply honored to be caring for the Riddle family.