Kent Hall Riddle

Kent Hall Riddle was born in Paradox, Colorado, to Andrew and Eva Riddle on December 3, 1925. He and his siblings grew up on the ranch in Paradox with summers spent on the Monte LaSalle mountains where the cattle summered and game was plentiful.

Following graduation from Nucla High School, Kent joined the Army Air Corp on his 18th birthday. He served in the Army Air Corp Cadet Program in Toledo, Ohio where he received his pilot’s wings. He taught recruits to fly the B-25 Mitchell Bomber until his honorable discharge in 1945. Kent received BS in Animal Science from Colorado State University in 1950. During college, Kent met Ruth Rhine on a blind date. They were married in 1951 and had three children, Neil, Vernon and Karen. Kent enjoyed his 7 Grands, 12 Greats, and 5 Great-Great-Grandchildren immensely.

Kent’s passion was working with animal genetics. He was employed by CSU as superintendent of the Fort Lewis A&M Hereford Breeding Experimental Program where he enjoyed research and testing for the genetics breeding program. He bought a farm in Whitewater, Colorado and developed a very productive herd of registered Herefords with the help of his son, Vernon and daughter-in-law, Connie. He was selected as the Colorado Hereford Breeder of the year in 1992. Kent served as Vice President and Manager of the Rifle Production Credit Association (PCA) in Craig, Colorado and in the Grand Junction PCA office. Upon retiring from PCA, he continued as a hobby rancher in Whitewater with a few highly productive cattle.

Kent and Ruth fully retired in 1999 and supported their children and grandchildren in school, sports, 4-H and any other activities; always enjoying family activities.

Kent died peacefully July 12, 2025. A viewing will be held at 4:00 p.m. on July 30, 2025, at Martin Mortuary, and funeral services will be held at Martin Mortuary on July 31st at 11:00 a.m. followed by military honors at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery at 1:00 p.m.