Oscar Ridings Obituary

Oscar Martin
Ridings
August 2, 1929
March 25, 2024

Oscar Ridings of Colorado Springs, Korean War veteran, high school teacher, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully at the age of 94 on March 25, 2024, with family and pastor at his side. Oscar will be remembered for the way his face would light up with a big smile whenever he greeted you.

The youngest of seven children, Oscar Martin Ridings was born to John Frederick Ridings and Lucy Katherine Hutchins in Hollis, NC on August 2, 1929. As the family fell on difficult times, he was taken in at the age of 12 by Panolia (Nola) Kimbrell and Olney Romeo Steadman. His second family encouraged his academic endeavors and enrollment in college.

After one year at Gardner-Webb Junior College and two at Appalachian State Teachers College, Oscar voluntarily joined the Air Force in 1951 and served in the Korean War as a cryptographer. Upon returning stateside, he married Mary Eugenia (Jean) Alley on October 30, 1953. He and Jean lived in several locations around the country while he completed his military commitment. He completed his bachelor's degree at what is now the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley in 1956 and his master's degree from Appalachian State in 1957.

He and Jean spent their careers teaching in Oscoda, Michigan, where they were earlier stationed with the Air Force. Together they had two children, Eric and Lisa. Oscar taught social studies at Oscoda Area High School for 26 years, until his retirement at age 57. Oscar was an avid gardener and active in his church. In retirement, he and Jean moved back to North Carolina and then to Colorado Springs in 2002 shortly before Jean passed away. They were married 49 years.

In the second phase of his retirement, Oscar volunteered at Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs for 18 years until the pandemic. He joined First Congregational Church in Colorado Springs and served several years as head usher. At church, he met Beverly Elwell, whom he married on February 4, 2006. After he turned 80, Oscar and Beverly began traveling the world, and had many adventures on six continents.

Oscar cherished his and Beverly's children and grandchildren. He is survived by wife Beverly Elwell-Ridings, son Eric (Jane) Ridings of Colorado Springs; daughter Lisa Ridings of York, SC; grandchildren Grace Ridings (Santiago) Bukovsky of Ann Arbor, MI and Christian Ridings of Newton, MA; Beverly's children Lisa, Lance, Lara (Jed Kenzy) and Julie Elwell and grandchildren Bailey, Kaylin and Jackson Kenzy and Isabelle Elwell-Judd.

Join us for a celebration of Oscar's life at 10:00 am on Saturday, June 15, at First Congregational Church, 20 E. St. Vrain, Colorado Springs, 80903. If desired, a donation to First Congregational Church may be made in Oscar's memory.