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Jefferson Ridgdill Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Jefferson Ridgdill
Julie Long (Marsh)
August 11, 2006
Mr. Ridgdill was one of my favorite teachers from Spruce Creek. He could have made any subject interesting and fun. Not only was he a great teacher, but he was a great person. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Myrtice Martell
June 29, 2006
To the Family of Jeff,
I was saddened when I heard of Jeff's passing. I too was raised in New Smyrna. I will always remember him playing in"Wild Honey". I will also remember him singing at Alyce's funeral and how difficult it was for him to sing because he loved her so. Jeff was a very special person that touched a lot of lives and he will be sorely missed. May God be with his family in their time of need and let them know that Jeff is no longer in pain and is whole again. See you on the other side Jeff...
Love and prayers,
Myrtice (Miller) Martell
Debbie Brazzell
June 28, 2006
Of all the teachers I had in my lifetime (and there were many since I moved nearly every school year) Jeff is the one I will remember the most. I was in his Sociology class at Mainland in 1975 and used to skip other classes to go sit in on his because he was so much fun. He made everyone feel special and I believe he left his mark on everyone who came in contact with him. I'm sorry I missed the celebration of his life but I didn't learn of his passing until it was over. We will all grieve his loss together, but I know that heaven is a brighter place with him there.
Jack Gillis
June 25, 2006
Sorry but there is one other thing I need to say. I hadn't been able to return to our church since December when Alyce died.Even in his death he brought me back into our church. That is the type of thing you know he would do.
Thank You Jeff,
Jack Gillis.
Jack Gillis
June 25, 2006
To Elaine, Angie, Lois and all the loving family of my buddy & great friend Jeff Ridgdill. I played music around the county with Ben for a few years & Jeff would come along with us and just sit back and listen. Many times I would go where ever Wild Honey was playing & I was always invited to sing a song with them & that was a great feeling to perform with Wild Honey.
My wife Alyce Was A Jeff Ridgdill & Wild honey fanatic. Probably the last song he did in public was the song he sang at Alyce's Funeral. He was in no shape to be doing that but he was determend to do that for our family.There is no words to say what that meant to the Gillis family. There is one thing we all know is Jeff & his father Ben have thier guitars & Heaven is rocking tonight with some southern gospil music.
All our love & Prayers go out to you all.
Jack Gillis
Karen Darcy Cebulske
June 25, 2006
Both of my brothers and I had Mr. Ridgdill between 1983-1985 at the Creek. We will never forget what a wonderful teacher he was and how he made learning fun. At the Class of '83 10 year reunion - he surprised us by remembering my older brother by name. He was genuinely interested in how his former students were doing. God knows how many lives he touched in all of his years teaching... our thoughts & prayers are with his family at this difficult time.
Sean, Karen & Dan Darcy
Bernice McCall
June 24, 2006
Jeff was the kind of person who made you believe in yourself. He had a fun-loving spirit. He always encourged me no matter what I did. I will always remember singing " Silent Night " in the back of the truck during the Christmas season.
Ashley Wiles
June 24, 2006
I am a former student of Mr. Ridgdill's and I think it is safe to say on behalf of all of his students in the past years, he was not only an amazing teacher, but someone you even considered your friend. Mr. Ridgdill was a very honest man that his students could relate to. This was a man that loved life in everyway; music, his family, and his job. Mr. Ridgdill will be greatly missed by all. God Bless his family in this time of sorrow..
Ellen,Keith,Angie,Carla,Kim and Chuck
June 23, 2006
Rosemary and family,Benny, Lois, Angela and family,
Just wanted you all to know we are thinking of you and you are in our prayers.
Wild Honey was a part of our lives for a lot of years and I know the music in Heaven is sweeter today.
Cindy Owens-Hannah
June 23, 2006
Dear Angela (baby), Elaine and Lois Ann..Im so saddened my the loss of Jeff but its heaven gain..I remember back years ago working in Tiptons flower shop and Jeff always came in to pick up Angela..the good times at Breakers and Hings and the Great Music.. the last time I saw Jeff was when he sang at my cousin Alyce Gillis funeral in Dec..I told him i was moving to tenn and he said let me hug you until i see you again in heaven...what a testimony for Jesus..Jeff always had a kind word for me and a smile..The girls at Bjs flowers wrote me a email to let me know of his death...as I set here remembering my heart is saddened but I know he is rejoicing in heaven singing to the Lord..my thoughts and prayers are with all of you..god bless and keep you all..Love Cindy Owens-Hannah
Leslie Kestory
June 23, 2006
My heart goes out to you at this time and in the days ahead.
Phyllis Salmons
June 23, 2006
I remember how much Jeff loved Southern Gospel music. Today he is singing in the Heavenly Choir with the saints of gospel music who have gone on before. My prayers are with his family.
R. Badie
June 23, 2006
Our prayers are with your family.
Reio Badie & Rosalyn Brown
Volusia County Schools
EDC
Valerie Bennett
June 23, 2006
Mr. Ridgdill was my teacher in my senior year of high school in 2003. He taught American Government and legal studies. We bonded instantly, and constantly debated politics and current issues. I am going into my Senior Year at the University of Florida, and I will go on to get masters in teaching. I want to eventually teach history at a high school. Mr. Ridgdill is the reason why I want to teach history. He always made history interesting, and everyone loved his class. It made me so sad when he retired; all those kids miss out on his class. He was an amazing teacher, and friend, and I will miss him terribly. I am glad that he is not suffering anymore. I love you Mr. Ridgdill!!
Sharon Gogol
June 23, 2006
Jeff was a testimony for Jesus. We were all better because we knew him. My prayers and service is here for Elaine, RoseMary, and Bennie and all the family. Rest in the arms of your Lord. Love, Sharon
Melinda and Greg Johnson
June 23, 2006
Lois and Angela and family, we are sorry for your loss. We enjoyed your music always and was wonderful seeing you both at the benefit. God bless. You will be in our prayers
Ralph/Julia Davis
June 23, 2006
To the Family of Jeff Ridgdill,my wife and I have known Jeff for many years and have enjoyed his warm and caring smile,his music and most of all his caring heart,Jeff has shared so much of him self throgh his music,again his smile,we will all miss him and we will celebrate the time we are all togeather again.
Our hearts and prayers are with your family.
Heather Ridgdill
June 22, 2006
My heart aches today at the news of Jeff's passing. Only in the past few years did I get to spend time with Jeff and Elaine and what wonderful times to remember. I will never forget the family crowded at Granny's house or Aunt Ruth's singing, making music, and truely enjoying the bond and love of family. Elaine, I am blessed that you came into Jeff's life and in doing so came into mine. You're a wonderful woman. All my love to you, your family, and friends- xoxox
Shannon Hart
June 22, 2006
I'm very sorry to hear about Mr. Ridgdill's passing. Even though history was one of my worst subjects, he was definitely the best history teacher I had in high school.
Katie DallaRosa
June 22, 2006
Mr. Ridgdill was not only the best teacher i could ever ask for but also a wonderful friend. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. He will be missed Greatly. Love Always.
Connie Brostek
June 22, 2006
I am so sorry for your loss. I know that Jeff will probably be organizing a band in Heaven... My heart goes out to you all!
Lorna Lopez Travis
June 22, 2006
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this most difficult parting, which is temporary until that blessed Day when all the saints go Home.
Betty (Bufford) Marino
June 22, 2006
Rosemary- My Thoughts,Love & Prayers are with you and all the family.
I will never forget all the years of enjoyment listening to him in "Wild Honey" - he was a very talented man and it always thrilled me to hear him and Lois play.
Always remember that GOD has his arms wrapped around him now and he is at peace.
Love, Betty
Sabrina Beaudin
June 22, 2006
Mr Ridgdill was easily my favorite teacher at Spruce Creek. I had three classes with him and he made them all entertaining. I remember he even brought his guitar in one day and played for us the entire class period. Garth Brooks' song "I've Got Friends in Low Places" will forever remind me of Mr. Ridgdill. His family is in my prayers.
Al and Jan Chubb
June 22, 2006
We enjoyed the music of "Wild Honey" for many years. Jeff touched so many lives. One of his students recently said that she never saw Jeff in a bad mood and even if he was, he still smiled. What a wonderful tribute. Our sympathies to the family.
T Jackson
June 22, 2006
Mr. Ridgedill was an awesome teacher and will be missed greatly! Tonya C/O 97
Kim Strode
June 22, 2006
Mr. Ridgdill was one of the most caring and honest teachers I have ever had. He truly loved his job, and made us enthusiastic about it as well. He was an amazing person and will be missed greatly.
Don Smale and Mary Chaney
June 22, 2006
It was a joy to know Jeff and for many years we followed "Wild Honey" and shared good times at house parties and beach parties and proms. But most of all, we shared a
true friendship and mutual respect. He was talented and intelligent, funny and interesting and memorable. God speed, Jeff!
Ruth Tomlin
June 22, 2006
Dear Elaine, Rosemary, Benny, Angie, and all the Family, I rejoice with you all knowing that Jeff is celebrating around God's throne today! I know he heard "Well Done Thy Good and Faithful Servant!". Our hearts are sad and we miss him, but know that he would be the first to tell us to "enjoy every moment of our lives to the fullest" just as he did. What a wonderful Christian example he was to us all in life and in death. I am so thankful for the time we had together in the past couple of years to draw closer. Elaine, you were a Godsend and we love you for taking such good care of Jeff and making him so happy! I can hear him singing already and await that Great Homecoming Day for us all to be rejoined. All of our Family sends our deepest sympathy and prayers.
We love you all.
Roger, Ruth, Roger, Jr. Tomlin
Uncle Walt, Aunt Liza and Family
Crystal Galba
June 22, 2006
Mr. Ridgdill was a great man. He was not only my teacher, but sponsored my christian club (God First Always) while I was attending Spruce Creek High School.He was a very important part of my life during my last few years in high school. I will always remember what a kind and generous man he was. God bless his family during this time of grieving.
Jeannette Rush
June 22, 2006
Lois, Angie, and family, my thoughts, my prayers, my heart goes out to all of you. No doubt in my mind that Heavens Orchestra and Choir sounds better then ever.
Kim Ayers
June 22, 2006
I am a former student of Mr. Ridgdill's and I am saddened to hear of his death. He was a wonderful teacher who had a wonderul passion for teaching. He will be forever missed.
Barbara (Boyd) Roush
June 22, 2006
My thoughts are with you and your family during this especially sad time. Jeff and I were classmates in junior and senior high school. He played trumpet and I played clarinet in junior high band.
Jeni Scalf Nottle
June 22, 2006
To a great teacher whom Nellie and I always called 'Jeff' instead of Mr. Ridgdill. We loved his classes and his quiet laugh that sounded like 'ssss-ssss-ss' He always said to me, 'Jeni, I don't understand how you can be out sick for four days of school and come back tan and looking great.' He'll be sorely missed.
Nellie Vance
June 22, 2006
Jeff was one of my most treasured teachers. He made history fun and interesting. I will especially remember his adorable laugh. We will miss him terribly.
Sharon Wheeler Cooper
June 22, 2006
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Vida Jones
June 22, 2006
Well, Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Bert, Mom, Uncle Wilfred, Uncle Broward, Uncle Cecil, Uncle Millard, and Uncle Rosier are all making beautiful music with Jeff now. Sure wish we could be with all of the family in Florida right now. We love and miss everyone of you. With love and sympathy, Howard & Vida Jones
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